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THE 


AMERICAN  PARLOR  AQUARIUM, 

OR 


BEING  A FAMILIAR  TREATISE  ON  THE  FRESH  WATER  AQUARIUM  ; 
THE  BEST  MODE  OF  CONSTRUCTION  AND  ARRANGEMENT ; 
INCLUDING  A BRIEF  SKETCH  OF  ALL  THE  FRESH  WATER  FISHES 
AND  AQUATIC  PLANTS  ADAPTED  TO  THE  SAME,  FOUND  IN  THE 
UNITED  STATES. 


BY 


J.  H.  COLLIER  AND  J.  HOOPER. 


NEW  YORK: 

JOHN  H.  COLLIER,  Publisher,  78  Fulton  Street. 

1866. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1866,  by 
J.  H.  COLLIER, 

In  the  Clerk’s  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States,  for  the  Southern 
District  of  New  York. 


P.  EoKLER,  Printer,  40  Fulton  Street,  N.  Y.  Lovejoy  & Son,  Electrotypers,  and  Stereotypers, 

15  Vandewater  Street,  N.  Y. 


590.1 

C4  V 


P E E F A C E. 

2 ~~~ 

O 

3 

£ The  want  of  a familiar  treatise  on  the  Parlor  Aquarium, 
adapted  to  this  country,  has  long  been  felt  by  all  who  have 
interested  themselves  in  any  way  in  this  comparatively  new 
science.  Several  English  works  are  extant,  but  their  local 
character  does  not  suit  our  wants.  In  fact  the  American 
Aquarist  is  without  a <text  boob  or  guide,  if  we  except  the 
woik  of  Mr.  Henry  D.  Butler,  which  however  is  almost 
exclusively  devoted  to  the  Marine  Aquarium.  The  limited 
knowledge  of  our  Fluvial  Fishes  and  Plants,  amongst  all 
classes,  and  the  evident  want  of  a simple  guide  or  text  book, 
by  those  who  feel  any  interest  in  the  subject,  are  reasons 
which  the  author  deems  sufficient  in  offering'this  little  book 
to  the  public. 

The  author  has  endeavored  to  simplify  his  style  as  much  as 
possible,  so  as  to  render  the  work  readable  to  those  unac- 
quainted with  the  technical  terms  of  science.  As  however  a 
few  of  those  terms  had  necessarily  to  be  used,  to  convey  the 
required  meaning,  a brief  glossary  of  the  same  is  appended 
at  Jhe  end  of  the  work. 


JOHN  H.  COLLIER. 


INTRODUCTION. 


“ Oh  Nature  ! all  sufficient ! over  all ! 

Enrich  me  with  a knowledge  of  thy  works  !” 

Tiie  study  of  any  of  Nature’s  works  is  one  of  the  most 
ennobling  pursuits  that  can  engage  the  attention  of  mankind. 
It  carries  with  it  a sublimity  of  thought  far  higher  than  that 
derived  from  any  other  source ; its  effects  are  seen  in  the 
poet’s  pen,  the  painter’s  pencil,  and  the  sculptor’s  chisel,  and 
tends  to  elevate  the  soul  of  man  from  the  grovelling  pursuits 
of  every  day  life,  to  that  higher  power,  whose  wisdom,  good- 
ness and  divine  works  are  seen  on  every  hand,  from  the  tiny 
dew-drop  to  the  mighty  cataract,  and  from  the  smallest  thing 
that  creeps  upon  the  earth,  to  the  noble  lion  that  roams  the 
desert  wilds  feared  by  all. 

The  study  of  Aquatic  Natural  History  had  been  neglected 
more  than  any  other,  especially  prior  to  the  introduction 
of  the  Aquarium.  The  Botanical  part  is  surrounded  with 
difficulties  in  the  procurement  of  specimens,  and  less  is  conse- 
quently known  of  it  than  any  other  branch  of  Botany.  All 
the  species  being  more  or  less  submerged,  they  are  collected 
with  difficulty,  and  but  very  few  have  as  yet  been  popularized 
to  the  Aquarium ; one  of  my  main  objects  is  to  point  out  and 
clearly  describe  all  our  native  Aquatic  Plants,  suitable  to  the 
fluvial  tank. 

A* 


VI 


INTRODUCTION. 


Our  Ichthyology,  or  history  of  fishes,  is  as  yet  in  its 
infancy,  no  popular  work  has  yet  appeared,  descriptive  of 
them,  so  that  we  have  groped  our  way  as  it  were  in  the 
dark.  Few  species  only  are  generally  known,  the  few  famil- 
iar ones  being  confined  to  those  varieties  whose  capture  is  a 
sport,  or  a remunerative  employment. 

But  the  Aquarium  opened  a path  to  a field  of  science 
hitherto  trod  by  few  of  “Nature’s  votaries;”  it  enkindled 
within  the  minds  of  many  a desire  to  become  better  acquainted 
with  the  “life  that  moves  beneath  the  waters.”  The  gems 
of  Nature’s  handiwork  enshrined  beneath  the  sparkling  wave, 
and  hidden  deep  in  its  ca^grnous  depths  were  almost  wholly 
unexplored,  their  beauties,  habits  and  peculiar  formation  were 
to  us  a sealed  book.  Little  dM  we  dream  that  at  the  depth 
of  hundreds  of  fathoms,  the  waters  teemed  with  life,  that 
Anemones  or  Animal  Flowers  existed  there  rivalling  in  bril- 
liancy of  coloring,  or  delicacy  of  marking  any  of  Nature’s 
terrestrial  gems.  It  had  always  been  considered  a fact  that 
below  a certain  depth,  animal  life  ceased  to  exist ; to  contra- 
vene this  we  have  the  testimony  of  the  scientific  officers  who 
surveyed  the  Atlantic  plateau  for  the  ocean  cable,  who  conclu- 
sively established  the  fact  of  animal  and  vegetable  life  existing 
at  even  the  greatest  depths.  Our  friend  Capt.  J.  H.  Mortimer 
of  Savannah,  an  enthusiast  in  marine  mollusca,  has  dredged 
many 'curiosities  to  science  some  of  which  were  from  the 
greatest  depths  he  was  enabled  to  fathom. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Discovery  and  History  of  the  Science — Its  first  establishment  in 
London — Its  progress  and  ultimate  introduction  in  the  United 
States 9 


CHAPTER  II. 

The  Principle  of  the  Aquarium — Natural  laws  governing  the  same. 
Artificial  aeration  a success 14 

CHAPTER  III. 

The  construction  of  the  Aquarium  Tank — The  materials  best  suited 
for  it — Proportions  of  a tank,  and  best  shape  for  the  same.  18 

CHAPTER  IY. 

The  best  location  for  an  Aquarium — Effects  of  light  and  heat — The 
only  perfect  plan— Effects  of  light  upon  fish.  . . .21 

CHAPTER  Y. 

Arrangement  of  the  Aquarium — Rockwork,  how  arranged — Instruc- 
tions as  to  its  proper  arrangement — Effect  produced  upon  fish  by 
long  confinement  without  food — Food  a necessity  for  their  preser- 
vation and  health— Diseases  incidental  to  fish.  . . .25 


viii 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Specific  descriptions  of  the  various  species  applicable  to  the 

Aquarium 31 

CHAPTER  VII. 

The  Amphibians  suited  to  the  Aquarium.  . . . .99 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Fluvial  Shells  and  Insects  adapted  to  the  Tank — What  Insects 

to  avoid. Ill 

CHAPTER  IX. 

The  Vegetation  of  the  Aquarium — The  plants  best  adapted  to 
the  same 116 

Glossary  of  Technical  Terms  used 136 

General  Index 139 


List  of  Illustrations 


. 144 


FLUVIAL  OR  FRESH  WATER  AQUARIUM. 


CHAPTER  1 

DISCOVERY  AND  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  THE  SCIENCE. 

Discovery  and  History  of  the  Science— Its  first  establishment  in  London— Its  pro- 
gress and  ultimate  introduction  in  the  United  States. 

First,  we  must  define  our  title.  In  this  country  it  is  known 
as  the  Aquaria  when  in  the  plural  number,  and  Aquarium  in 
the  singular.  Throughout  Great  Britain  and  the  continent 
of  Europe  it  is  called  the  Aqua-Vivarium : this  name  is  cor- 
rect for  the  following  reasons.  Amongst  the  ancient  Romans 
an  Aquarium  was  simply  a reservoir  or  large  vessel  for  holding 
water,  without  regard  to  the  uses  to  which  that  water  was 
applied.  A collection  of  living  animals  or  reptiles  was  called 
a Vivarium;  in  the  earlier  period  of  the  discovery  of  our 
science,  a name  was  required  for  it,  and  it  was  deemed  essen-  \ 
tial  to  have  one  that  would  convey  and  embrace  within  itself 
a truthful  meaning  of  the  subject ; and  the  term  Aqua- Vivarium 
was  adopted,  the  first,  Aqua,  signifying  water,  and  the  latter, 
Vivarium , animal  fife.  Now  as  our  name  Aquarium  means 


10 


DISCOVERY  AND  EARLY  HISTORY 


simply  a vessel  for  holding  water,  regardless  of  the  uses  to 
which  that  water  may  be  applied,  it  is  conclusively  proven 
that  the  English  name  is  the  best  and  only  correct  one.  But 
as  the  term  Aquarium  has  been  so  generally  adopted  in  this 
country,  it  will  be  used  in  this  work. 

Undoubtedly  the  marine  or  salt  water  Aquarium  presents 
to  us  a far  greater  variety  of  character,  and  a more  diverse  and 
extensive  field  of  research,  furnishing  an  infinite  collection 
of  animal  and  vegetable  life,  far  greater  than  the  fluvial  or  fresh 
water.  In  fluvial  waters  we  lack  altogether  those  grotesque 
forms  so  often  found  in  sea  water ; such  as  the  Hippocampus 
or  Sea  Horse,  the  Holothuria  or  Sea  Cucumber,  the  Asterias 
or  Star  Fish,  the  Syngnathus  or  Pipe  Fish,  the  Serpulas , 
Actinias , and  hundreds  of  others,  possessing  some  remarkable 
structure  and  endless  diversity  of  character.  So  also  with  the 
Marine  plants  or  Algce ; they  likewise  excel  the  fluvial  ones 
or  diversity  of  structure,  and  far  exceed  them  in  numbers, 
fembracing  plants  of  every  hue.  But  attractive  as  the  marine 
Aquarium  deservedly  is,  there  exists  a barrier  to  its  popularity 
which  cannot  easily  be  removed,  and  debars  its  general  use ; 
I allude  to  the  difficulties  experienced  in  procuring  pure  sea 
water.  Space  forbids  me  to  dwell  upon  the  subject,  as  my 
province  is  to  confine  myself  to  the  fluvial  or  fresh  water 
Aquarium. 

The  principle  of  the  Aquarium  was  slightly  indicated  by 
Priestly  in  the  latter  part  of  the  last  century.  It  remained  in 
obscurity  until  1778-9  when  Ingenhaus  more  closely  ap- 
proached it,  by  giving  publicity  to  the  fact,  that  plants 
immersed  in  water  when  exposed  to  the  action  of  light  emit 
oxygen.  In  1833  Daubeney  slightly  noticed  it.  Ward  in 
1837  made  demonstrations  of  its  practicability  with  distinct- 


OF  THE  SCIENCE. 


11 


ness;  but  Dr.  Lankaster  in  1841  established  the  first  true 
Aquarium,  by  keeping  Sticklebacks  in  a glass  vessel,  without 
a change  of  water,  the  same  being  oxygenated  by  means  of 
the  Valisneria  spiralis.  Warrington  in  1850  elucidated  it 
clearly  and  was  the  first  to  make  it  publicly  known.  Before 
the  Royal  Chemical  Society  of  London  he  demonstrated  the 
experiments  made,  and  the  principle  established  thereby : 
that  the  functions  of  plants  assigned  to  them  for  the  conversion 
of  carbonic  acid  gas  into  oxygen,  and  the  consequent  neces- 
sity of  their  jfresence  for  the  preservation  of  animal  life, 
which  would  otherwise  be  poisoned  by  its  own  secretions, 
because  of  the  quantity  of  carbonic  acid  thrown  off.  About 
this  time  an  open  air  tank  was  established  by  accident  in  the  Gar- 
dens of  the  Hampton  Court  Palace,  London ; which  was  after- 
wards described  by  Mr.  Jesse,  and  at  the  time  attracted  consider- 
able interest  amongst  men  of  science.  In  1852  the  first  practical 
exemplification  of  the  science  was  opened  to  the  public  in  the 
Gardens  of  the  Royal  Zoological  Society,  Regents  Park, 
London.  And  to  such  an  extent  has  the  Aquarium  been 
popularized  there,  that  one  firm  alone  in  London  employs  a 
large  steam  factory  for  the  manufacture  of  tanks,  and  fourteen 
experienced  men  are  exclusively  engaged  in  collecting  marine 
curiosities  for  the  same,  whilst  numbers  of  others  collect  for 
the  fluvial  department.  Large  quantities  of  pure  sea  water 
is  constantly  kept  on  hand,  which  is  regularly  sold  like  milk 
by  the  quart  or  gallon.  In  this  immense  establishment  can 
be  purchased  at  almost  any  time  any  of  the  marine  or  fluvial 
objects  suitable  to  the  Aquarium.  To  show  how  far  we  are 
behind  in  this  science,  I would  state,  that  at  the  present  time 
there  is  not  an  establishment  in  New  York,  or  even  in  the 
United  States,  where  any  of  the  marine  objects  suited  to  a 
salt  water  Aquarium  can  be  procured. 


12 


DISCOVERY  AND  EARLY  HISTORY 


In  1842  Dr.  Johnson  whilst  experimenting  with  a view  to 
ascertain  the  true  vegetable  nature  of  corallines , dicovered  the 
fact,  that  Marine  Alqce  cause  sea- water  to  remain  pure,  for  an 
unlimited  period, — as  long  as  they  are  in  a growing  condition. 
This  was  the  year  following  Dr.  Lankaster’s  similar  discovery 
in  regard  to  fresh  water;  so  that  Dr.  Johnson  is  entitled  to 
the  discovery  of  the  principle  of  the  Marine  Aquarium,  as 
Lankaster  is  of  the  Fluvial. 

The  first  introduction  of  the  Aquaria  to  the  American 
public,  was  at  the  American  Museum,  New  York.  In  1856, 
fifteen  years  after  the  principle  of  the  Aquarium  was  proven 
by  Dr.  Lankaster,  and  four  years  after  the  opening  of  the 
Regents  Park  Aquaria,  Mr,  P.  T.  Barnum  introduced  it  to 
the  American  public.  This  well  known  and  enterprising 
showman,  always  anxious  to  secure  and  introduce  to  the 
public  every  novelty  money  can  procure,  started  to  England, 
and  with  the  aid  of  Mr.  David  Mitchell,  at  that  time  Secretary 
of  the  Royal  Zoological  Society  of  London,  introduced  this 
new  and  attractive  feature  of  Natural  History  to  the  American 
public.  And  although  he  is  deserving  of  praise  for  his  exer- 
tions in  so  doing,  it  was  not  from  any  love  of  science,  but 
simply  to  add  a new  feature  to  his  popular  place  of  amusement. 
Some  months  after  this  Messrs.  Butler  and  Cutting  established 
the  Aquarial  Gardens  in  Boston ; it  finally  passed  into 
Mr.  Barnum’ s hands  and  was  eventually  discontinued. 

Soon  after  various  styles  of  parlor  Aquariums  were  manu- 
factured and  sold  in  New  York  and  Philadelphia  and  their 
popularity  has  steadily  increased.  Undoubtedly  they  would 
become  much  more  popular  if  experienced  men  in  the  science 
were  engaged  in  their  manufacture  and  sale,  for  few  of  them 
know  anything  at  all  of  the  subject,  or  are  acquainted  in  the 


OF  THE  SCIENCE. 


13 


least  manner  with  the  habits  of  our  fish,  or  the  peculiarities 
of  our  Aquatic  plants,  their  knowledge  being  confined  to  the 
buying  of  Gold-fish  by  the  hundred,  and  retailing  them  to 
their  customers. 

It  is  in  the  field  this  knowledge  only  can  be  obtained ; 
on  the  banks  of  the  laughing  brook,  on  the  bosom  of  the 
placid  lake,  and  in  the  almost  impenetrable  swamp  ; it  is  there, 
studying  nature’s  book,  that  w^e  can  gain  a knowledge  of  the 
objects  fitted  for  our  miniature  pond.  There  is  another  know- 
ledge acquired,  that  which  cannot  be  transmitted  one  to  the 
other,  the  same  mental  power  that  guides  the  artizan  in  his 
mechanical  skill,  which  experience  alone  can  acquire. 


“ Remote  from  busy  life’s  bewildered  way, 

O’er  all  his  heart  shall  taste  and  beauty  sway ; 

Free  on  the  sunny  slope,  or  winding  shore 

With  hermit  steps  to  wander  and  adore.”— (Pleasures  of  Hope.) 


CHAPTER  II. 


THE  PRINCIPLE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 

The  Principle  of  the  Aquarium— Natural  laws  governing  the  same  — Artificial 
aeration  a success. 

Many  persons  think  that  a mere  tank  designed  for  the  use 
of  fish,  etc.,  is  an  Aquarium ; this  is  a popular  error  in  this 
country.  A tank  manufactured  for  such  a purpose,  no  matter 
what  the  material  may  be  that  is  used  in  its  construction, 
correctly  speaking,  is  not  an  Aquarium,  but  an  Aquarium  tank. 
An  Aquarium  consisting  of  the  tank  and  its  contents.  The 
true  and  perfect  Aquarium  should  be  self  sustaining.  The 
plants  contained  therein  sufficiently  numerous  to  liberate  or 
throw  off  enough  oxygen  to  furnish  the  living  animals  with 
life  sustaining  power,  the  fish  and  other  animal  life  sufficient 
to  consume  that  oxygen  and  repay  the  plants  with  enough 
carbon  to  sustain  them.  For  this  is  the  fundamental  principle 
of  nature  both  of  animal  and  vegetable  life  ; the  animal  portion 
being  sustained  by  the  oxygen  generated  by  vegetation,  and 
the  vegetable  part  by  the  carbon  exhaled  by  the  animal. 
Consequently  if  too  much  animal  life  be  placed  in  the  tank, 
the  want  of  sufficient  oxygen  is  soon  experienced  by  the  finny 
inhabitants  thereof,  causing  them  to  sicken  and  die ; if  too 
much  vegetation  exist  therein,  the  water  becomes  over  charged 
with  oxygen,  vitiating  their  systems  with  its  enervating 


TIIE  PRINCIPLE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


15 


powers,  so  that  the  same  fatal  result  necessarily  follows.  In 
the  Aquarium  the  nearer  we  can  arrive  at  an  equalization  of 
the  two  powers^  the  nearer  we  approach  perfection.  But 
another  point  must  be  considered ; it  is  not  alone  necessary 
that  these  two  life  sustaining  powers  should  be  equalized, 
because  you  may  have  too  much  of  both,  and  in  this  case  the 
health  of  your  animal  life  is  equally  jeopardized.  You  may 
ask  then,  how  are  we  to  know  ? how  are  we  to  determine 
when  enough  of  animal  life  and  y^getation  is  placed  in  the 
tank  ? This  I answer  is  altogether  a matter  of  experience. 
No  rule  can  be  adopted  as  to  the  quantity  of  the  sanje : 
different  species  of  fish  exhaust  more  oxygen  and  supply 
more  carbon,  than  others  ; so,  too,  with  aquatic  jfiants,  some 
species  liberate  more  oxygen  and  take  up  more  carbon  than 
others,  and  it  is  only  by  practical  experience  and  a use  of 
discretion,  that  enables  us  to  determine  the  amount  of  animal 
and  vegetable  life  sustainable  in  a given  quantity  of  water. 
I know  some  have  given  advice  as  to  the  number  of  fish  that 
could  be  sustained  in  a given  quantity  of  water  in  a still 
tank,  but  it  is  of  no  value,  for  the  reasons  above  given; 
besides  which,  the  varied  sizes  of  fish  preclude  any  such  rule. 
As  a general  circumstance  persons  crowd  too  much  in  their 
tanks,  it  is  much  cheaper  and  better  to  have  a few  fish  in  the 
Aquarium  in  good  health,  than  to  over  crowd  it,  as  is  too 
often  'the  case.  In  regard  to  the  amount  of  oxygen  and 
carbon,  we  see  the  same  causes  produce  like  effects  even  to 
mankind ; in  tropical  climes,  where  vegetation  arrives  at  its 
greatest  luxuriance,  the  atmosphere  is  overcharged  with 
oxygen,  engendering  malarious  fevers:  the  vitality  being 
quicker,  the  lives  of  mankind  are  shorter  in  the  number  of 
years,  yet  in  one  sense  they  live  as  long,  because  their  tem- 
peraments are  quickened. 


16 


THE  PRINCIPLE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


The  Marine  tanks  of  the  American  Museum,  not  being 
supplied  with  vegetable  life,  an  excellent  substitute  has  been 
adopted,  which  answers  the  purpose  very  well ; that  is, 
artificial  aeration,  — air  being  forced  through  the  water  of  the 
tanks  by  means  of  a bellows  attached  to  an  aerometer ; this 
was  introduced  into  this  Aquaria  by  Messrs.  Butler  and 
Cutting,  the  former  gentleman  being  for  a lengthened  period 
manager  of  the  same. 

My  opinion  based  on  experience  in  tanks  artificially  sup- 
plied with  air  is,  that  for  a public  Aquaria,  where  a number 
of  tanks  are  kept,  it  is  an  excellent  plan,  but  is  not  feasible 
for  private  purposes,  as  it  is  necessary  the  motive  power 
should  be  continually  in  action.  I find  that  fish  kept  in 
tanks  so  supplied,  in  a short  time  become  acclimated  to  them, 
so  that  they  but  seldom  come  to  the  surface  for  air,  such  fish, 
changed  as  it  were  in  their  nature,  soon  die  if  removed  from 
the  aerated  tank  to  one  not  so  supplied.  The  effect  of  a 
stream  of  air  passing  upwards  through  the  water  of  the  tank 
is  indeed  beautiful,  forming  innumerable  globules  resembling 
quicksilver,  which  are  continually  and  rapidly  rising  to  the 
surface,  these  globules,  containing  the'  confined  air,  being  so 
much  lighter  than  water,  causes  them  quickly  to  ascend. 

As  I remarked  in  the  commencement  of  this  chapter,  that 
it  is  not  generally  understood  what  constitutes  an  Aquarium, 
I would  say,  that  many  people  are  in  the  habit  of  calling 
every  vessel  or  tank  wherein  fish  are  placed,  an  Aquarium  ; 
this  is  not  so,  as  an  Aquarium  is  a tank  or  vessel,  no  matter 
of  what  material  it  may  be  composed,  that  contains  animal  and 
vegetable  life  self  sustaining . 

A good  self  supporting  fluvial  tank  never  requires  a change  of 
water ; I have  kept  one  eighteen  months  with  the  same  water, 


THE  PRINCIPLE  OP  TIIE  AQUARIUM. 


17 


the  only  water  added  during  the  time,  being  a sufficiency  to 
make  good  the  evaporation  continually  going  on,  and  at  all 
times  the  water  was  a hundred  per  cent,  purer,  brighter  and 
cleare*  than  the  best  filtered  water.  Water  under  such  cir- 
cumstances possesses  a sparkling  appearance,  and  no  water, 
no  matter  how  hard  it  may  be  or  how  much  lime  it  naturally 
contains,  if  placed  in  an  Aquarium  fails  to  become  soft  as  rain 
water,  the  plants  absorbing  the  lime  of  the  same.  This 
absence  of  a requirement  of  a change  of  water  is  the  desid- 
eratum attainable  and  to  be  striven  for  in  the  management 
of  the  Aquarium.  It  is  the  constant  meddling  with  the  tank, 
changing  the  water,  the  ..position  of  rocks  and  plants,  the 
heaping  in  of  bread,  crackers,  cake,  etc.,  to  the  fish,  why  so 
many,  yes ! nearly  all,  ffiiil  in  keeping  their  tanks  healthy  and 
clean.  If  by  any  cause  any  of  your  plants  show  signs  of 
decay,  or  any  of  your  fish  die,  they  should  be  carefully 
removed  as  soon  as  possible,  for  if  allowed  to  remain,  they 
contaminate  the  water  with  noxious  gasses,  rendering  a 
change  of  the  same  absolutely  necessary. 


CHAPTER  III. 


TIIE  CONSTRUCTION  OF  THE  AQUARIUM  TANK. 

+ 

The  Construction  of  the  Aquarium  Tank— The  materials  best  suited  for  it  —Propor- 
tions of  a Tank,  and  the  best  shape  for  the  same. 

The  best  material  the  frame  can  be  constructed  of  is  either 
stone  or  slate.  Of  stone,  marble  is  the  handsomest  and 
easiest  procured.  Slate  is  however  preferable  to  marble  on 
account  of  its  superior  durability,  and  it  is  susceptible  of  the 
highest  polish  and  finish ; it  is  usually  marbleized  for  the 
purpose  (as  when  used  for  mantles)  combining  the  beauty 
of  marble,  with  the  durability  of  slate.  The  slate  is  partic- 
ularly preferable,  because  a tank  manufactured  of  it  can  either 
be  used  for  fresh  or  salt  water.  Not  so  however  with  mar- 
ble ; the  chemical  properties  of  sea  water  soon  destroy  the 
surface,  defacing  the  beauty  of  the  same.  With  iron  tanks 
the  salt  water  creates* an  oxide  rendering  them  unadapted  to 
its  use. 

For  a fluvial  tank,  although  slate  and  marble  make  the 
handsomest  material  to  be  used  in  their  construction,  iron 
frames  answer  well  enough  if  properly  manufactured.  W ood 
is  objectionable  for  two  reasons,  first,  want  of  durability ; 
second,  liability  to  leakage  ; for  few,  indeed  very  few,  of  the 
wooden  tanks  I have  seen  in  use,  but  were  subject  to  the 
latter  failure,  one  of  the  chief  causes  of  the  same  being  its 


THE  CONSTRUCTION  OF  THE  AQUARIUM  TANK. 


19 


porous  character,  wood  being  so  susceptible  and  so  easily 
effected  by  the  variations  of  the  temperature. 

As  a general  thing  the  tanks  manufactured  for  sale  in  this 
country  are  composed  of  iron,  only  a comparatively  few  being 
of  marble  or  slate.  Those  manufactured  of  iron  are  usually 
ornamented  by  japanning. 

In  regard  to  the  general  proportions  of  a tank,  as  a rule 
the  breadth  and  heigth  should  be  relatively  half  the  length, 
-these  proportions  should  necessarily  be  graduated  according 
to  the  size  of  the  tank.  It  is  usually  the  fault  that  tanks  for 
Aquarium  purposes  are  manufactured  with  too  great  a depth. 
It  is  essential  in  a good  Aquarium  tank  that  the  glass  should 
be  as  clear  as  possible:  for  this  purpose  English,  French  or 
German  plate  is  requisite  ; greenish  glass  so  commonly  used 
deteriorates  the  beauty  of  the  same.  Another  advantage 
plate  glass  possesses  is  its  strength. 


THE  RECTANGULAR  TANK. 


The  rectangular  shape  undoubtedly  is  the  best  form  to 
display  the  beauties  of  the  Aquarium.  The  octagon  or 
sextagon  forms  cannot  be  fitted  up  to  the  same  advantage, 
because  the  lights  of  glass  are  necessarily  of  small  propor- 
tions, the  divisions  of  the  tank  obscure  the  view,  marring  the 


20  THE  CONSTRUCTION  OF  THE  AQUARIUM  TANK? 

picturesque  effect.  Rectangular  tanks  having  partially  solid 
ends,  a small  oval  glass  being  inserted  in  the  same,  are  pre- 
ferable alike  with  those  having  solid  ends,  to  the  open  or 
glass  end  tanks,  for  reasons  that  will  be  assigned  in  the 
remarks  upon  the  effects  of  light.  Mr.  Lloyd  of  London,  the 
most  extensive  manufacturer  of  tan\s  in  the  world,  has 
patented  a tank  divided  longitudinally  into  two  distinct  sec- 
tions in  the  interior ; the  back  section  designed  as  a recepta- 
cle for  new  water  and  disconnected  with  the  front  except 
when  its  use  is  required ; although  great  numbers  of  these 
tanks  are  manufactured  and  sold,  yet  in  the  opinion  of  emi- 
nent English  Aquarists  no  real  advantage  is  obtained  by  this 
peculiar  arrangement.  To  attempt  to  enumerate  all  the 
styles  that  have  been  manufactured  and  offered  to  the  public 
for  sale,  would  exceed  altogether  our  limits.  I will  however 
notice  a new  style  lately  introduced  called  the  vase  style, 
although  displaying  taste  in  their  manufacture,  are  very  illy 
adapted  for  the  purpose  they  are  constructed.  They  are  in 
the  form  of  a vase  nearly  three  times  as  long  as  wide, 
altogether  too ‘deep,  the  ends  bulged  or  expanded  into  a 
semi-circle,  the  top  like  an  oval  or  elliptical  jar,  leaving  not 
over  two-thirds  of  the  water  surface  exposed  to  the  air ; this 
is  a fatal  error  in  any  tank,  as  it  is  positively  requisite  that  all 
the  surface  of  the  water  should  be  unobstructed.  It  is  on 
this  account  that  open  glass  jars  are  preferable  to  globes,  for 
not  only  does  the  water  receive  more  fully  the  benefit  of  the 
air,  when  its  surface  is  wholly  and  equally  exposed,  but 
another  advantage  gained  in  the  properly  constructed  tank  is, 
that  the  temperature  of  the  water  is  not  elevated  above  its 
natural  degree,  as  is  the  case  when  the  top  is  partially  closed, 
as  in  the  vase  style  above  referred  to. 


CHAPTER  IV, 


THE  LOCATION  OF  THE  AQUARIUM  IN  REFERENCE  TO 
LIGHT  AND  IIEAT. 

The  best  location  for  an  Aquarium— Effects  of  light  and  heat— The  only  perfect 
plan— Effects  of  light  upon  fish. 

One  of  the  most  important  things  to  be  considered  in  the 
proper  arrangement  of  the  Aquarium,  is  its  situation  in 
respect  to  light,  and  heat.  In  the  first  place  it  should  be 
placed  in  as  cool  a location  as  possible,  as  far  removed  from 
artificial  heat  as  convenience  will  admit.  And  even  more 
important  is  the  subject  of  light^this  being  the  grand  main- 
spring of  life  to  both  the  animal  and  vegetable  world;  without 
its  natural  influence,  animal  life  would  become  blind  and 
vegetation  cease  to  germinate.  In  view  of  its  importance 
we  should  endeavor  to  have  the  light  act  as  naturally  as 
circumstances  will  admit  of  upon  our  miniature  aqua  world. 
It  behooves  us  then  to  consider  how  we  should  place  the 
tank  with  regard  to  light,  so  as  to  approach  nature  and  her 
laws  as  closely  as  possible.  With  this  object  in  view  as  our 
guide,  we  easily  discern  that  in  their  native  waters  animal 
and  vegetable  life  receive  their  light  from  above,  therefore 
we  c&n  immediately  conclude  that  such  is  the  only  natural 
position  they  should  be  placed  in,  in  regard  to  light.  In  view 
of  this,  the  only  perfect  plan  is  to  have  the  tank  so  constructed 
and  placed,  that  the  light  can  only  enter  it  from  the  top,  or 


22 


TIIE  LOCATION  OF  TIIE  AQUARIUM 


surface  of  the  water : this  is  correct  because  it  is  natural.  In 
our  attempts  to  domesticate,  rear  and  keep  in  confinement 
animal  and  vegetable  life,  our  primary  object  should  be  to 
surround  those  objects  with  as  natural  circumstances  as  we  can. 

In  the  fine  collections  of  the  Royal  Zoological  Society  of 
London,  the  Derby  Institute  of  Liverpool,  the  Hamburgh 
Aquarial  Gardens,  and  others  in  Europe,  this  principle  is 
adopted ; all  the  light  entering  the  halls  passing  directly 
through  the  tanks  from  the  top,  acting  naturally  upon  the 
life  contained  therein  and  producing  to  the  spectator  a beau- 
tifully illuminated  effect,  the  exquisite  beauty  of  which  must 
be  seen  to  be  properly  appreciated.  In  the  Aquaria  of  the 
American  Museum  in  New  York,  which  at  the  present  time 
is  the  only  public  exhibition  of  the  kind  in  the  United  States, 
this  excellent  principle  has  not  been  adopted,  (the  building 
not  being  suited  for  the  purpose) ; there  the  tanks  have 
glasses  front  and  back,  the  light  passes  through  from  different 
directions,  and  this  unnatural  degree  of  light  causes  diseases 
to  the  fish,  in  many  cases  rendering  them  blind.  Especially 
is  this  the  case  with  the  Diodon  maculata-striatci  or  Spot  Striped 
Balloon  Fish,  whose  eyes  are  brilliant  emerald,  and  altogether 
one  of  the  most  curious  of  our  native  marine  fish,  and  well 
adapted  to  the  Marine  Aquarium  under  favorable  circumstan- 
ces. This  unnatural  degree  of  light  also  causes  great  changes 
in  the  colors  of  various  species,  the  most  remarkable  of  which 
I have  observed,  is  in  the  new  species  of  Pomotis  I discovered 
in  the  tributaries  of  the  Hackensack  River,  New  Jersey,  and 
which  I named  the  Pomotis  on  account  of  its  natural  fond- 
ness for  shady  and  secluded  locations.  In  this  new  and 
interesting  species,  the  colors  almost  entirely  fade  when 
exposed  to  the  strong  light  to 'which  most  Aquariums  are 


IN  REFERENCE  TO  LIGHT  AND  IIEAT. 


23 


placed  in.  This  fact  is  universal  with  this  fish,  as  I have 
placed  many  hundreds  of  them  in  such  Aquariums  and  the 
result  always  was  the  same.  Of  this  fact  I shall  speak  more 
minutely  in  the  description  of  the  fish  and  its  habits.  This 
powerful  light  acts  directly  the  reverse  in  the  case  of  its  con- 
genor,  the  well  known  common  Sun  Fish,  Pomotis  Vulgaris; 
in  this  it  tends  to  intensify  the  color,  rendering  it  much 
darker  and  richer.  This  may  be  accounted  for  from  the  fact 
that  the  common  Sun  Fish  delights  to  bask  in  the  strong 
sun  light,  from  which  circumstance  it  received  its  name. 

In  this  new  and  improved  location  for  placing  the  tank, 
but  one  glass  is  used  in  the  same,  the  front  one,  the  ends  and 
back  being  solid,  the  window  being  above  the  tank,  enclosed 
with  darkened  screens  that  surround  it  and  descend  to  the 
top  of  the  tank,  concentrating  every  ray  of  light  into  the 
surface  of  the  water,  and  all  the  light  entering  the  apartment 
passes  through  the  tank. 

It  cannot  however  be  expected  that  many  individuals  can 
or  would  be  able  to  adopt  this  plan  of  light,  yet  all  can  use 
discretion  in  placing  their  Aquariums  in  as  good  a position 
in  respect  to  light  and  heat  as  circumstances  will  admit. 
Never  place  it  directly  in  front  of  a window  so  that  the  light 
passes  through  it,  as  many  do,  for  in  viewing  an  Aquarium 
to  advantage,  we  should  look  with  the  light,  not  against  it ; 
besides  those  minute  and  troublesome  plants,  the  Tyndarideas 
and  other  Conferva ?,  grow  so  rapidly  they  soon  discolor  the 
water,  coating  the  interior  with  a green  slime,  that  frequent 
changes  of  water  will  not  eradicate. 

Neither  should  your  Aquarium  be  placed  where  compara- 
tively no  light  strikes  it ; this  is  the  other  extreme,  in  that 
case  your  vegetation  will  soon  wither,  loose  its  brilliancy  of 
coloring,  droop  and  die. 


24  THE  LOCATION  OF  TIIE  AQUAKIUM,  ETC. 

Van  Mons  and  Vasali,  two  distinguished  European  philos- 
ophers, assert  that  the  light  of  a lamp  and  even  of  the  moon 
exercises  a coloring  influence  upon  plants.  I know  from 
experience  that  aquatic  plants,  if  kept  in  a dark  room  for  a 
few  days,  no  matter  what  quantity  of  water  they  are  kept  in, 
immediately  begin  to  decay,  and  after  it  has  actually  com- 
menced, no  amount  of  light  is  adequate  to  their  restoration. 
This  is  particularly  the  case  with  the  Ceratophyllum  demersum. 


CHAPTER  Y. 


ARRANGEMENT  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 

Arrangement  of  the  Aquarium  — Rockwork,  how  arranged  — Instructions  as  to  its 
proper  arrangement  — Effect  produced  upon  fish  by  long  confinement  without 
food— Food  a necessity  for  their  preservation  and  health — Diseases  incidental  to 
fish. 

In  the  interior  arrangement  of  the  tank  and  its  conversion 
into  an  Aquarium,  taste  and  skill  are  requisite  to  guide  us  in 
our  labors.  Many  minutia  to  be  employed,  which  however 
well  the  experienced  Aquarist  may  be  skilled  in,  yet  in  words 
he  cannot  convey  to  others.  But  the  following  is  a brief 
sketch  of  the  general  modus  operandi  requisite. 

The  position  being  selected  under  guidance  of  our  previous 
chapter,  see  that  your  tank  be  thoroughly  cleansed;  then 
cover  the  bottom  of  the  same  to  a depth  of  one  to  three 
inches  (according  to  the  size  of  your  tank)  with  well  washed 
pebbles  or  river  sand,  care  should  be  taken  not  to  use  salt 
water  sand.  A few  natural  rocks,  readily  procured  in  the 
environs  of  the  city,  are  requisite  for  picturesque  effect ; these 
should  be  grouped  so  as  to  have  a careless  or  accidental 
appearance,  avoiding  too  much  formality,  as  in  this  way  they 
present  a much  more  natural  appearance.  Rocks  so  placed 
that  they  represent  one  or  more  arches  or  bridges,  under 
which  the  fishes  can  pass,  have  the  most  pleasing  effect.  The 
c 


2G 


ARRANGEMENT  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


extent  of  rockwork  should  be  governed  by  the  dimensions 
of  the  tank.  But  in  all  attempts  of  this  kind  towards  orna- 
mentation, avoid  artificial  representations  of  rocks  manufac- 
tured of  clay ; let  us  follow  nature  as  near  as  we  can  and  not 
burlesque  it.  An  excellent  substitute  for  rockwork  is  pumice 
stone,  this  can  be  procured  in  large  pieces  and  is  readily  cut 
into  any  desired  form ; it  possesses  in  fact  one  great  advantage 
over  natural  rocks,  its  lightness  never  endangering  the 
breakage  of  your  glass  by  accidental  displacement.  Persons 
not  fancying  this  arrangement  of  the  rocks,  can  adopt  another 
very  good  plan,  by  leaving  the  centre  of  the  tank  uninter- 
rupted by  them  and  forming  a ledge  of  rocks  at  the  extreme 
end  of  the  same ; it  can  be  arranged  very  tastefully  this  way. 
After  you  have  planned  the  position  for  your  rockwork,  care 
should  be  taken  that  they  set  firmly  together,  as  their  falling 
would  endanger  the  breakage  of  the  glass.  Your  rocks  being 
grouped  to  advantage  and  firmly  placed,  the  next  step  is  the 
introduction  of  the  plants;  if  your  tank  is  large,  you  will 
require  several  distinct  species,  these  should  be  selected  with 
a view  to  variety  of  color  and  form  of  foliage.  Before 
placing  them  in,  see  that  they  are  carefully  cleansed  of  all 
extraneous  matter,  and  be  sure  they  are  fresh  and  but  recently 
taken  from  the  water ; fasten  them  down  securely  in  the 
niches  of  the  rockwork,  and  a few  amongst  the  pebbles  or 
sand.  They  should  be  secured  without  string  as  it  soon  rots 
and  the  plants  become  loosened  from  their  place ; a small 
stone  carefully  laid  upon  their  roots,  or  the  same  enclosed 
within  a ball  of  clay  are  more  permanent.  When  they  are 
grouped  to  advantage,  (in  doing  this  much  taste  can  be 
displayed),  fill  the  tank  with  water.  In  filling  it,  care  should 
be  taken  not  to  dash  the  water  so  as  to  dislodge  any  of  your 


ARRANGEMENT  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


27 


former  work  $ a syphon  made  of  small  rubber  hose  answers 
the  purpose  very  well,  by  elevating  the  bucket  containing  the 
water  above  the  level  of  the  tank,  placing  one  end  of  the  hose 
in  the  same  and  by  exhausting  the  air  out  of  the  pipe,  the 
water  will  pass  from  the  bucket  to  the  tank  freely.  This 
syphon  is  formed  easily  by  placing  the  end  of  the  pipe  to 
your  mouth  and  drawing  your  breath  strongly ; the  water 
under  this  suction  power  forces  the  air  out  and  then  flows 
freely.  This  syphon  can  be  produced  another  way,  that  is, 
by  filling  the  pipe  with  water,  closing  up  the  aperture  at 
either  end  with  your  fingers,  then  place  one  end  in  the  bucket 
below  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  as  soon  as  your  finger  is 
withdrawn  from  the  other  end,  provided  it  is  held  below  the 
level  of  the  end  in  the  bucket,  the  water  will  immediately 
flow.  If  not  supplied  with  a hose  of  this  description,  a 
watering  pot  answers  the  purpose  very  well.  The  stream 
should  be  directed  so  as  to  strike  the  sides  of  the  tank,  in 
this  way  it  can  be  filled  with  less  disarrangement  than  by  any 
other.  The  tank  should  not  be  filled  too  full,  that  Tritons  or 
Turtles  can  crawl  out,  or  Trout,  Pickerel  or  Dace  jump  out, 
as  they  are  liable  to  do  if  such  is  the  case.  A small  Island 
made  of  cork  and  covered  with  moss,  upon  which  may  be 
grown  one  or  more  small  ferns  or  other  marshy  plants,  adds 
greatly  to  the  beauty  of  your  Aquarium,  and  affords  a conve- 
nient and  necessary  resting  place  for  Tritons,  Salamanders, 
Turtles  or  Cray  Fish,  to  rest  upon,  as  they  of  necessity  require 
some  place  of  the  kind  above  the  surface  of  the  water.  If 
you.  do  not  choose  to  furnish  this  floating  resting  place,  a 
substitute  can  be  adopted,  by  allowing  the  rocks  to  project 
above  the  water  surface. 

Of  all  things  avoid  over  crowding;  this  is  almost  a 
universal  error,  people  generally  are  never  satisfied  to  have  a 


28  ARRANGEMENT  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 

few  healthy  fish  in  their  Aquariums,  but  they  place  in  it  so 
many  that  the  carbon  thrown  off  by  the  same  cannot  be  neutra- 
lized by  a sufficient  amount  of  vegetation.  Avoid  also  too 
much  rockwork,  remembering  this,  the  more  rock  you  have 
the  less  water. 

Should  you  desire  to  raise  any  of  the  various  species  of 
frogs  from  their  incipient  stages,  or  rear  any  of  the  aquatic 
Coleoptera  in  your  Aquarium,  it  is  necessary  to  cover  the 
same,  to  prevent  their  escape;  this  is  easily  done  by  con- 
structing a light  frame  work  fitting  the  top  of  the  tank  and 
covering  it  with  gauze  or  fine  netting. 

Of  all  the  Animal  Kingdom,  whether  warm  or  cold  blooded, 
none  can  sustain  life  so  long  without  food  as  fish  ; yet  to  keep 
them  healthy  and  prosperous  they  should  be  fed.  The  Carp 
will  live  for  months  in  the  tank  without  introduced  food,  yet 
they  become  deformed  ; the  stomach  is  drawn  up  so  that  the 
under  part  of  the  fish  is  concave,  and  in  the  same  proportion 
as  this  is  contracted  the  back  or  dorsal  line  is  raised,  forming 
a highly  convexed  line,  giving  to  the  fish  a deformed  appear- 
ance. But  whilst  such  is  the  effect  produced  upon  this  fish 
by  long  confinement  without  introduced  food,  it  must  not  be 
understood  thereby,  that  all  the  deformed  carp  we  so  often 
see  for  sale  in  Aquaria  stores,  receive  their  deformity  thereby ; 
by  no  means  ! In  its  appropriate  place  allusion  will  be  made 
specially  to  this  deformity. 

Fish  should  be  regularly  fed  or  they  will  prey  upon  one 
another ; it  is  on  this  account,  that  so  many  object  keeping  the 
Pomotis  vulgaris  and  appendix  (Sun  Fish)  in  their  tanks  ; they 
complain  and  justly  too,  that  they  kill  the  other  fish  ; of 
course  they  will  if  not  regularly  fed.  Naturally  carnivorous, 
they  require  considerable  introduced  food,  and  if  not  supplied 


ARRANGEMENT  OF  TIIE  AQUARIUM. 


29 


help  themselves  to  their  smaller  companions.  Who  that 
knew  anything  of  the  natural  habits  of  Trout,  Pickerel  or 
Perch  would  expect  them  to  live  on  water  alone  ? All  the 
Perch  family  are  carnivorous  requiring  considerable  introduced 
food.  So  with  the  Pimelodus  or  Cat  Fish,  they  also  are  very 
voracious.  The  Cyprinus  (Carp),  the  Catastoma  (Suckers),  the 
Labeo  (Chub-sucker),  and  other  genera  are  vegetable  feeders, 
scarcely  requiring  introduced  food. 

Fish,  like  all  animal  life,  are  subject  to  diseases,  but  unlike 
the  higher  orders  of  animals,  but  little  can  be  done  for  them. 
Those  beautiful  Angel  Fish,  Holicanthus  ciliaris , which  so  many 
have  so  much  admired  in  the  Aquaria  of  the  American 
Museum,  are  very  much  subject  to  attacks  of  vertigo,  which 
usually  proves  fatal.  Sometimes  when  so  attacked,  by  lifting 
them  gently  out  the  water  for  a few  seconds,  it  will  pass  off 
and  the  fish  resume  its  former  appearance ; but  I have  found 
these  attacks  on  the  brain  return  from  time  to  time,  and  even- 
tually prove  fatal.  During  these  attacks  the  fish  is  unable  to 
maintain  its  equilibrium,  dashes  wildly  about  striking  the 
sides  of  the  tank,  swimming  often  perfectly  inverted,  reeling 
over  and  darting  about  whilst  the  paroxysms  last. 

The  most  general  disease  fish  are  subject  to  undoubtedly  is 
constipation,  occasioned  likely  from  the  want  of  their  natural 
food. 

Some  species  are  subject  to  peculiar  warty  excrescences 
growing  upon  them ; I have  observed  this  most  particularly 
the  case  in  the  Pomotis. 

Fish  intended  for  the  Aquarium  should  be  handled  with 
great  care,  the  less  the  better,  as  they  are  easily  injured,  much 
easier  than  is  usually  imagined.  If  a fish  be  allowed  to  fall  to 
the  ground,  no  perceptible  injury  may  be  apparent  at  the 


30 


ARRANGEMENT  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


time,  but  in  the  space  of  four  or  five  days,  the  wounds  make 
their  appearance  in  the  form  of  bruises  that  soon  assume  a 
wooly  appearance ; these  when  examined  under  a powerful 
lens,  are  found  to  be  vegetation ; a parasitical  fungi  that 
spreads  over  the  fish,  and  in  a majority  of  cases,  proves  fatal. 
When  fish  are  so  injured,  the  wounded  parts  should  be  care- 
fully cleansed  with  a soft  sponge  attached  to  a stick  from  day 
to  day ; their  lives  may  often  be  saved  by  this  process. 

Some  of  the  larger  species  are  subject  to  living  parasites 
that  attach  themselves  to  the  gills,  and  ultimately  destroy 
them.  When  the  Carp  or  Gold  Fish  sicken,  their  bright 
colors  fade,  and  assume  a dull  yellow  color. 

If  any  fish  in  the  Aquarium  show  signs  of  disease,  they 
should  be  immediately  taken  out  and  placed  by  themselves,  to 
preserve  the  health  of  the  remainder. 

The  eye  is  the  best  index  of  health;  as  long  as  that  is 
bright  and  clear,  all  is  well ; but  when  a film  appears  upon  it, 
it  is  a sure  indication  of  the  presence  of  disease. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 

THE  FISH. 

Specific  descriptions  of  the  various  species  applicable  to  the  Aquarium. 

Precedence  must  be  given  to  the  Golden  Carp  or  Gold  Fish 
on  account  of  its  popularity. 


Cyprinus  auratus. — Golden  Carp  or  Gold  Fish. 


The  Gold  Fish  is  undoubtedly  a degenerate  or  cross-bred 
variety  of  carp,  having  no  established  specific  character  ; in 
this  respect  being  the  only  example  of  the  kind  known  to 
Ichthyology. 

It  was  originally  a native  of  China  and  was  introduced  into 
Europe  nearly  two  centuries  ago,  to  gratify  the  fanciful  whim 
of  Madame  Pompadour  of  France,  who  at  that  period  was  the 
reigning  favorite  of  the  fashion  and  splendor  at  the  French 
Court.  It  soon  became  a general  favorite  and  was  shortly 


32 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


afterwards  introduced  into  Great  Britain  and  other  countries 
of  Europe.  We  have  no  exact  data  as  to  the  time  of  its 
introduction  into  this  country,  but  it  is  of  comparatively  recent 
date ; it  is  only  since  the  discovery  of  the  fact  that  fish,  reptiles, 
insects  and  plants  could  exist  and  thrive  together  in  an  artifi- 
cial vessel,  that  the  fact  of  the  existence  of  Gold  Fish  in  our 
midst  became  generally  known  to  the  public.  In  .China  many 
distinct  varieties  of  the  Carp  are  known  ; De  Savigney  in  his 
Natural  History  of  China  figures  eighty-nine  distinct  varieties. 
Much  trouble  and  expense  has  been  used  to  produce  varieties 
by  the  amalgamation  of  species  in  China ; in  this  manner  an 
endless  variety  of  form  and  color  was  produced.  • It  is  a well 
established  fact  in  Natural  History  that  two  distinct  species 
of  animals,  whether  fish,  birds  or  quadrupeds,  if  crossed,  their 
progeny  are  hybreds,  and  henceforth  necessarily  loose  the 
specific  characters  of  the  species  from  whence  they  derived 
their  origin.  The  Golden  Carp  as  introduced  into  Europe 
undoubtedly  had  lost  all  specific  character,  from  their  long 
domestication  ; hence  the  infinite  variety  of  forms  and  colors 
they  assume,  from  the  most  symmetrical  to  deformed  hunch- 
backs. A few  have  a triple  caudal,  in  some  the  dorsal  fin  is 
entirely  wanting,  in  others  only  a rudimentary  one,  in  some  a 
prolongation  of  the  first  two  or  three  anterior  rays  of  the  same, 
whilst  the  posterior  part  is  wanting.  The  colors  vary  equally 
with  the  anatomical  structure  ; some  are  pearly  white,  whilst 
others  are  deep  black  with  perhaps  a few  blotches  of  red  or 
white  or  both,  others  brilliant  red,  some  with  shades  of 
greenish  yellow  and  metallic  brown ; in  short  it  would  be 
impossible  to  enumerate  the  variations  of  color  assumed  by 
the  Golden  Carp.  What  is  commonly  known  as  the  Silver 
Fish  is  only  a variety  of  the  Carp,  in  some  of  these  the  silvery 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


33 


white  always  remains,  whilst  others  turn  red,  red  and  white, 
red  and  black,  or  the  three  combined,  and  in  many  of  the 
Silver  Carp  the  back  is  of  a beautiful  purple.  The  change  of 
color  is  not  always  from  the  Silver  to  the  Gold  Fish,  but  often 
vice  versa ; I have  frequently  had  bright  Gold  Fish  lose  their 
red  coloring  and  assume  the  plain  garb  of  the  Silver  Fish. 
The  brightness  of  color  in  the  Golden  Carp  appears  to  be 
local;  in  some  ponds  inhabited  by  these  fish  all  are  high 
colored,  these  ponds  I have  observed  usually  had  a rich 
alluvial  bottom,  whilst  in  ponds  having  clayey  or  yellow  mud 
bottoms  the  fish  are  usually  of  a poor  color,  having  a yellowish 
tinge. 

The  Gold  Fish  are  and  no  doubt  always  will  be  the  most  pop- 
ular habitants  of  the  Aquarium,  capable  of  enduring  the  great- 
est variations  of  temperature,  whilst  their  gaudy  and  varied 
coloring  render  them  the  most  attractive  to  the  superficial 
observer. 

If  an  Aquarium  be  in  a good  condition,  healthy,  the  plants 
contained  therein  in  a good  growing  state,  in  such  an  Aquarium 
the  Gold  Fish  require  but  little  introduced  food,  as  the  water 
in  such  a tank  contains  large  quantities  of  animalculae  and 
minute  vegtable  spores,  that  keep  the  fish  in  a much  healthier 
state  than  any  food  usually  given  them.  Many  foolish  notions 
are  entertained  relative  to  the  sexes  of  the  Gold  Fishes,  one 
of  these  most  prevalent  is,  that  those  varieties  only  that  have 
a short  or  abbreviated  dorsal  are  males  ; this  is  quite  erroneous. 
Some,  too,  think  that  the  abbreviated  dorsal  is  indicative  of  a 
distinct  species,  and  have  asserted  that  this  peculiarity  exists 
only  when  the  dorsal  line  of  the  fish  is  highly  convex,  causing 
the  fish  to  appear  deformed ; this  also  I am  satisfied  is  incor- 
rect, as  I have  specially  selected  at  times  large  numbers  of 


34 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


Carp  for  their  symmetrical  form,  and  many  of  them  possessed 
the  contracted  dorsal  fin. 

The  number  of  fin  rays  likewise  are  irregular,  one  principle 
feature  that  determines  the  identity  of  species ; they  usually 
occur  in  the  Carp,  as  follows,  (but  vary  occasionally  in  indi- 
vidual specimens,)  Dosal,  sixteen  to  twenty  rays ; Caudal, 
seventeen  to  twenty;  Anal,  six  to  eight;  Ventrals,  nine,  and 
Pectorals,  fifteen.  The  Gold  Fish  grows  to  a large  size,  the 
largest  about  twelve  inches  in  length  and  weighing  nearly 
two  pounds ; they  do  not  bite  very  freely  at  bait,  and  are  little 
esteemed  as  an  article  of  food,  being  coarse  and  dry. 


Salmo  fontanalis. — Brook  Trout. 


The  Salmo  fontanalis — Speckled  or  Brook  Trout.  Un- 
doubtedly the  most  beautiful  of  our  fluvial  fishes.  They 
inhabit  swift  and  clear  running  streams  and  are  the  delight 
of  the  angler.  If  introduced  into  the  Aquarium,  they  must 
be  supplied  with  running  water,  and  should  be  well  fed,  as 
they  are  naturally  very  voracious ; they  will  eat  beef  with 
avidity,  and  thrive  well  under  favorable  circumstances.  In 
ail  cases  Trout  are  best  kept  by  themselves,  and  the  tank 
should  be  securely  covered  with  net  work  to  prevent  their 
jumping  out.  The  Trout  is  a smooth  scaled  fish,  the  scale 
being  minute,  oblong  and  imbedded  in  the  skin. 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


35 


Specific  Character  : Upper  part  of  the  head  and  back 
dark  bronzed  green,  mottled  with  darker  shades.  General 
color  of  the  body,  clear  horn  color,  irregularly  mottled  with 
darker  hues.  Sides  of  the  body  varied  with  tinges  of  blue  and 
silvery  white.  Lateral  line  quite  distinct  and  slightly  curved 
downwards.  Sides  of  the  body  with  numerous  small  bright 
vermillion  colored  dots,  having  the  appearance  of  red  sealing 
wax.  Dorsal,  thirteen  rays  of  a light  yellowish  color  with 
interrupted  olive  brown  bars,  three  in  number.  Caudal, 
nineteen  rays,  banded  with  numerous  obscure  bands.  Anal, 
fourteen  rays,  tinged  with  rich  reddish  hues  as  in  the  caudal, 
the  first  or  anterior  ray  clear  white,  the  second  and  third 
tipped  with  white  only,  tip  of  the  fourth  black,  broadly  mar- 
gined with  white.  Ventrals,  eight  rays  tinged  with  red,  the 
fins  varied  with  white  and  black  as  in  the  anal.  Pectorals, 
twelve  rays,  pointed,  first  light  yellow,  second  blackish 
brown,  the  other  ten,  orange.  Irides,  white. 

The  brook  trout  attains  to  a large  size,  from  three  to  four 
pounds  being  the  limit.  Two  and  two  and  a half  is  considered 
very  large. 


Esox  reticulatus. — Common  Pickerel. — (Le  Seur.) 


The  Pickerel,  like  the  Trout,  affords  excellent  sport  to  the 
angler,  this  species  sometimes  exceeding  three  feet  in  length. 
When  quite  young  they  are  suited  to  the  Aquarium,  but  if 
large  must  be  kept  by  themselves ; in  all  cases  they  must  be 
regularly  fed,  and  will  eat  nothing  but  live  foo4. 


36 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


» 

Specific  Character  : General  color,  deep  olive  green 
above,  tinged  with  yellow  on  the  sides,  the  irregular  bands 
dark  brown.  Dorsal,  eighteen  rays,  tinged  with  green. 
Caudal,  nineteen  rays,  shaded  with  greenish.  Anal,  fourteen 
rays,  tinged  with  light  red.  Ventrals,  ten  rays,  also  tinged 
with  red.  Pectorals,  sixteen  rays.  Irides,  yellow  varied 
with  blue.  Caudal,  deeply  emarginate,  nearly  forked. 


The  Varied  Pickerel. — Esox  fasciatus. — (De  Kay.) 

The  Varied  Pickerel  is  a much  smaller  fish  than  the  one 
last  described,  seldom  exceeding  ten  inches  in  length.  They 
are  quite  tenacious  of  life  and  do  well  for  the  aquarium,  they 
require  the  same  food  as  the  reticulatus. 

Specific  Character  : Whole  upper  parts  dark  olive 

brown,  a distinct  dorsal  line  of  light  brown  extends  from  the 
termination  of  the  upper  jaw  to  the  base  of  the  caudel.  Sides 
beautifully  mottled,  becoming  indistinct  towards  the  belly. 
A well  defined  blackish  brown  line  from  the  eye  to  the  angle 
of  the  jaw.  Pupil  of  the  eye  black,  irides  whitish,  tinged 
with  green.  Dorsal  fin,  fourteen  rays.  Pectorals,  thirteen. 
Ventrals,  nine.  Anal,  thirteen,  and  Caudal,  twenty,  and  is  only 
slightly  emarginate.  Ventrals  and  anal  tinged  with  red 
strongly,  the  pectorals,  dorsal  and  caudal  slightly.  This  spe- 
cies of  Pickerel  are  easily  tamed,  so  that  they  will  allow  you 
to  stroke  them  as  they  lie  on  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  are 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


37 


the  only  fresh  water  fish  adapted  to  the  Aquarium  in  which 
this  peculiarity  exists.  The  same  thing  can  be  done  to  the 
Pilot  Fish,  one  of  our  marine  fish,  the  one  that  usually  pilots 
the  sharks  whilst  in  search  of  prey. 


The  Lepisosteus.  — Bison-Buffalo  Bony  Pike. 


The  Buffalo  Bony  Pike  or  Alligator  Gar,  is  the  most  pecu- 
liar of  any  of  our  fluvial  fishes.  They  are  plentiful  in  the 
western  portion  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  attain  a large 
size,  specimens  having  been  taken  from  three  to  four  feet  in 
length.  When  small  they  are  a great  acquisition  to  the 
Aquarium.  The  one  from  which  the  above  cut  was  taken 
had  been  in  the  Aquaria  of  the  American  Museum  over 
six  months,  and  thrives  well  growing  rapidly,  eating  two  or 
three  small  Fundulus  zebra  about  three  times  a week. 

Specific  Character  r General  color,  bright  light  cinna- 
mon, upper  part  of  the  body  with  a row  of  black  spots  along 
the  dorsal  line.  A very  conspicuous  lateral  band  extends 
from  the  tail  directly  through  the  eyes  to  the  extremity  of  the 
jaws,  this  lateral  band  is  jagged  or  irregular  along  its  upper 
and  lower  margins ; along  the  sides  are  several  deep  black 
blotches  immediately  above  the  lateral  band,  lower  part  of 
the  sides  more  or  less  marked  with  black.  Under  part  of  the 
body  white,  with  numerous  black  markings.  Pupil  of  the 
eyes  black,  irides  cream  color.  Dorsal,  eight  rays  with  sev- 


D 


38 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


eral  conspicuous  black  spots.  Caudal,  fourteen  rays,  the  webs 
slightly  scolloped  at  their  tips,  with  five  or  six  very  large 
black  spots  mostly  arranged  near  the  extremity  and  three  or 
four  near  the  centre.  Anal,  ten  rays  spotted  with  black. 
Ventrals,  seven  rays  conspicuously  marked  with  black  spots. 
Pectorals,  fourteen  rays  also  marked  with  black  spots.  Mouth 
armed  with  a fine  row  of  small  acute  teeth  on  its  inner 
margin.  Caudal  appendage  very  flexible,  capable  of  being 
raised  or  depressed  at  pleasure,  and  used  as^  a rudder.  This 
% caudal  appendage  is  peculiar  to  this  species. 


Pimeoma  sub-fasciatum. — Champlain  Pickering. 


The  Champlain  Pickering  or  as  it  is  commonly  called  the 
Little  Pickering.  The  above  figure  represents  the  full  aver- 
age size  of  this  little  fish.  They  are  very  plentiful  in  some 
portions  of  the  waters  of  Lake  Champlain,  where  they  may 
be  seen  in  the  clear  waters  of  the  lake  darting  about  with 
great  swiftness. 

Specific  Character:  General  color  light  olive  green, 

back  banded  with  twenty  vertical  bands  that  descend  about 
half  way  down  the  sides.  The  gill  covers,  very  beautiful 
metallic  green  with  rich  golden  reflections.  A well  defined 
and  conspicuous  round  spot  of  a dark  olive  color  at  the  base 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  TIIE  AQUARIUM. 


39 


of  the  caudal,  this  spot  being  about  the  same  shade  of  color 
as  the  vertical  bands.  Pupils,  purplish  ; irides,  silvery.  Ante- 
rior dorsal,  thirteen  pointed  rays,  the  rays  clouded  at  their 
base ; posterior  dorsal,  fifteen  rays,  the  webs  slightly  dotted 
with  brown.  Caudal  nearly  even,  fifteen  rays  and  having 
four  or  five  distinct  vertical  bands  of  a dark  brown  color. 
Anal,  twelve  rays,  Ventrals,  six  rays,  Pectorals,  rounded  with 
fifteen  rays. 


Perea  flavescens. — American  Yellow  Perch. 

This  beautiful  fish  possesses  numerous  cognomens.  Amer- 
ican Yellow  Perch,  Black  Banded  Perch  and  Banded  Bass, 
by  which  it  is  known  in  different  sections  of  the  country ; 
the  first,  however,  is  the  proper  one.  This  beautiful  fish  is 
noted  for  the  richness  of  its  coloring  and  its  excellent  edible 
qualities,  being  highly  esteemed  by  epicures.  They  attain  a 
large  size.  I have  taken  them  two  pounds  in  weight,  and 
have  seen  them  much  larger.  When  young  they  are  an 
acquisition  to  the  Aquarium,  and  thrive  well  in  a large  tank ; 
they  inhabit  most  of  the  large  lakes  of  the  northern  States 
and  in  some  locations  are  very  numerous.  This  species  is 


40 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


closely  allied  to  the  Perea  fluviatilis,  or  Fresh  Water  Perch  of 
Europe.  In  Rockland  Lake,  Rockland  County,  New  York, 
they  are  very  plentiful ; also  in  Lake  Ronkonkoma  they  are 
numerous  and  attain  a very  large  size,  being  also  the  only 
species  of  fish  found  in  this  lake  ; this  latter  fact  I give  on 
the  authority  of  an  intelligent  gentleman,  a resident  in  that 
locality.  They  are  rarely  if  ever  taken  in  running  streams. 
Like  all  the  family  of  Perciadce , they  are  carniverous,  and 
require  considerable  food,  and  will  devour  beef  with 
avidity. 

Specific  Character:  General  color  of  the  upper  parts 

dark  and  rich  olive  green ; sides  tinged  with  greenish  yellow ; 
lower  parts  of  the  body  rich  yellow,  extending  up  the  sides 
where  it  is  blended  into  the  olive  green  of  the  upper  parts  ; 
chin  and  throat  flesh  color ; upper  part  of  the  body  and  sides 
with  six  to  eight  blackish  vertical  bands  of  irregular  lengths, 
extending  partly  down  the  sides,  gradually  becoming  lighter 
as  they  reach  the  lower  half  of  the  body ; pupils  of  the  eyes 
black,  irides,  rich  yellow ; anterior  dorsal,  dusky,  with  fifteen 
acute  pointed  rays  ; posterior  dorsal,  fifteen  or  sixteen  rays, 
nearly  even,  with  a row  of  spots  on  the  spines  of  the  same ; 
caudal  rounded,  slightly  emarginate,  consisting  of  seventeen 
rays  ; anal,  bright  orange,  have  two  spinous  and  eight  articu- 
lated rays ; ventrals,  bright  orange  with  six  rays  ; pectorals, 
fourteen  rays.  A lateral  line  extends  from  the  upper  part  of 
the  gill  covers,  ascending  in  a curve  upwards  and  parallel 
with  the  convexed  back  of  the  fish. 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


41 


Perea  serrata-granulata. — Rough  Yellow  Perch. 


This  species  bears  a considerable  resemblance  to  the  last 
mentioned  species,  the  chief  differences  being  the  following. 
In  this,  the  anterior  dorsal  is  unspotted  or  clouded  as  in  the 
flavescens , whilst  this  one  possesses  a series  of  roughened  radi- 
ated lines  on  the  head,  this  latter  peculiarity  suggested  its 
name.  In  their  habits  they  are  allied  to  the  flavescens , but 
are  not  so  numerous  or  generally  distributed. 

Specific  Character  : General  color  and  markings  the 
same  as  the  American  Yellow  Perch.  Anterior  dorsal,  four- 
teen rays,  posterior,  fifteen  rays.  Caudal,  seventeen  rays. 
Anal,  two  spinous  and  seven  articulated  rays.  Ventrals,  one 
spinous  and  five  articulated  rays.  Pectorals,  thirteen  or  four- 
teen rays. 


42 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  TIIE  AQUARIUM. 


Labrax  pallidus. — White  Percii.  {Mitchell.) 

This  fish  is  also  known  under  the  name  of  White  Bass. 
Their  habits  are  closely  allied  to  the  Perea  and  bear  an  affinital 
resemblance  to  them.  They  attain  to  a length  of  ten  to 
twelve  inches,  although  Dr.  DeKay  says  it  never  exceeds 
four  to  five  inches.  This  species  is  plentiful  in  the  Passaic 
and  its  tributaries,  the  Hudson,  the  Croton  and  many  other 
streams  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey. 

Specific  Character:  Body  compressed,  dorsal  line  con- 
siderably elevated,  sharply  descending  towards  the  end  of  the 
jaws.  General  color  pale  bluish  white  above,  sides  and  whole 
under  parts  white.  Dorsal  fin  apparently  divided  into  two 
sections  as  in  Perea,  but  upon  close  examination  it  is  found 
to  be  connected  by  a minute  membrane.  Anterior  portion  of 
the  dorsal,  nine  acute  spinous  rays ; posterior  portion  of  the 
same,  thirteen  rays.  Caudal,  emarginate  with  seventeen  rays. 
Anal,  ten  rays,  the  first  anterior  one  short  and  spinous,  second 
and  third  spinous,  and  the  remainder  articulated,  the  webs  of 
the  same  slightly  dotted  with  brown  and  tinged  with  pink. 


THE  ANIMAT,  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


43 


Ventrals,  pinkish,  having  one  anterior  spinous  and  five  articu- 
lated rays  dotted  as  in  the  anal.  Pectorals,  seventeen  rays 
clouded  at  their  base.  Lateral  line  distinct,  curved  down- 
wards. 


Labrax  nigricans. — Small  Black  Bass.  (DeKay.) 

This  species  is  known  under  various  local  names  $ Small 
Black  Bass,  Black  Perch,  Fresh  Water  Black  Fish,  etc. 
They  inhabit  deep  ponds  in  Queens  and  Suffolk  Counties, 
Long  Island,  lie  close  at  the  bottom,  are  extremely  shy,  in 
their  habits  resembling  the  Common  Black  Fish.  They 
afford  excellent  sport  for  the  angler,  readily  take  the  fly,  and 
attain  a size  of  a foot  in  length.  When  small  they  are  a 
great  acquisition  to  the  Aquarium,  are  easily  kept,  being  very 
tenacious  of  life. 

Specific  Character  : Body  compressed  as  in  the  pallidus , 
and  having  the  dorsal  line  elevated  and  descending  in  a simi- 


44 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


lar  manner.  General  color,  head  and  whole  upper  parts  deep 
velvety  black,  lighter  as  it  descends ; sides  tinged  with  yellow 
indistinctly.  Pupil  of  the  eye  black ; irides,  yellow.  Dorsal, 
consisting  of  two  parts  ; anterior  portion  more  elevated  than 
the  second,  consisting  of  nine  or  ten  rays ; posterior  fin,  one 
spinous  and  twelve  other  rays.  Anterior  dorsal  has  the  edge 
of  the  spinous  membrane  black.  Posterior  dorsal  with  the 
upper  half  of  the  membrane  beautifully  diaphanous,  lower 
half  of  the  same  clouded,  and  divided  from  the  upper  by  a 
well  defined  longitudinal  line.  Caudal,  furcate,  tips  sub-acutely 
rounded,  clouded  at  the  base.  Anal,  with  three  spinous  and 
eight  branched  rays.  Ventrals,  one  spinous  and  five  branched 
rays.  Pectorals,  sixteen  rays.  Base  of  all  the  fins  light 
greenish  yellow.  Lateral  line  distinct  but  interrupted,  de- 
scending downwards. 


Aphredoderus  sayanus. — Spineless  Perch. 


This  small  fish  is  rare,  and  as  yet  but  little  known,  the 
above  figure  represents  the  average  size. 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


45 


Specific  Character  ; General  color  above,  dusky  brown, 
whole  under  parts,  light  yellowish.  Dorsal,  with  three  spinous 
and  eleven  branched  rays,  membranes,  clouded  at  their  tips. 
Caudal,  rounded  with  seventeen  branched  rays.  Anal,  with 
three  abbreviated  spinous  and  seven  branched  rays.  Pec- 
torals, with  twelve  rays. 


Centrarchus  ceneus. — Fresh  Water  Bass. 


This  fish  is  common  in  the  waters  of  the  upper  part  of  the 
State  of  New  York,  viz.:  the  Erie  canal,  Hudson  and  its  trib- 
utaries, Lake  Champlain,  etc. 

Specific  Character  : General  color,  dark  greenish  bronze, 
a dark  lateral  curved  line  along  the  sides,  below  this  a series 
of  irregular  waved  lines  of  various  lengths,  the  upper  one 
longest.  Dorsal,  with  eleven  spinous  and  twelve  articulated 
rays.  Caudal,  seventeen  rays.  Anal,  six  spinous  and  eleven 
articulated  rays.  Ventral s,  one  spinous  and  five  articulated 
rays.  Scales,  diamond  shape.  Eyes  prominent  and  large. 
Length  six  to  ten  inches. 


46 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


Pomotis  Vulgaris. — Common  Sun  Fish. 


This  common  but  beautiful  fish  is  known  under  a variety 
of  local  names,  such  as  Sun  Fish,  Pond  Fish,  Pumpkin  Seed, 
etc.  No  better  denizen  of  the  tank  can  be  selected ; lively, 
vivacious,  hardy  and  handsome,  he  comes  well  recommended 
to  us.  Many  are  prejudiced  against  them,  because  they  are 
apt  to  attack  other  fish  and  sometimes  kill  them.  This  how- 
ever I am  satisfied  they  never  do  when  properly  fed  ; but  if 
left  to  starve,  being  naturally  spirited  and  pugnacious,  they 
will  attack  and  destroy  their  more  feeble  companions.  I have 
placed  at  various  times  numbers  of  adult  Sun  Fish  in  the 
Aquaria,  where  they  have  been  kept  for  many  months  in  the 
same  tank  with  Gold  and  other  fish,  and  have  never  moles- 
ted their  companions,  because  they  were  regularly  and 
liberally  fed. 

In  Rockland  and  other  large  Lakes,  where  the  water  is 
so  clear  and  pure  that  the  bottom  can  be  distinctly  seen  at 
a depth  of  ten  to  twelve  feet,  I have  observed  the  habits  of 
these  fish  during  the  season  of  reproduction,  with  much 
pleasure.  They  select  those  localities  where  the  bottom  is 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM.  47 

of  a sandy  or  light  character,  and  scoop  out  a large  hole, 
circular  in  form,  and  from  three  to  four  feet  in  diameter ; 
here  their  spawn  is  deposited,  and  woe  to  any  fish  large  or 
small  that  dares  invade  its  sacred  precint : the  largest  fish 
they  instantly  drive  away,  darting  at  them  with  great 
ferocity,  a proof  that  even  fish  have  an  innate  affection  for 
their  offspring.  These  circular  spawning  beds  were  distri- 
bute<J  at  intervals  over  a considerable  portion  of  the  lake. 

They  have  a wide  distribution,  being  found  throughout 
almost  all  portions  of  the  United  States.  In  conjunction 
with  my  friend  Capt.  J.  H.  Mortimer  of  Savannah,  we  have 
introduced  them  into  private  ponds  of  England,  with  what 
success  time  alone  can  determine. 

Specific  Character  : Body  greatly  compressed  ; dorsal 

outline,  high  and  arched ; general  color,  whole  upper  parts 

* 

and  sides  varied  with  metallic  green  and  intermingled  with 
black,  darkest  on  the  back  cheeks  and  fore  part  of  the  head, 
with  clear  blue  waved  lines ; opercles,  lustrous  blue  and 
green ; abdomen,  bright  sienna ; pupil  of  the  eyes,  black  ; 
irides,  greenish  blue  tinged  with  red ; a large  conspicuous 
black  spot  margined  with  bright  red  on  the  posterior  angle 
of  the  opercle  ; dorsal  and  anal  fins  spotted  with  brown  ; 
whole  body  spotted  with  reddish  brown  spots ; opercles, 
striated  with  reddish  yellow  bands  converging  to  the  eyes ; 
dorsal,  nine  spinous  rays,  first,  second  and  third,  shortest,  and 
ten  branched,  the  middle  spinous  and  branched  rays  longest ; 
caudal  emarginate,  eighteen  rays;  anal,  rounded,  three  spi- 
nous and  nine  branched  rays ; ventrals,  one  spinous  and  five 
branched  rays ; pectorals,  yellow,  ten  branched  rays ; ventrals, 
immediately  below  the  second  spine  of  the  dorsal. 

In  a specimen  seven  inches  in  length,  now  before  me,  the 
following  are  the  relative  measurements  : Greatest  depth  of 


48  THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 

the  body,  three  inches ; centre  of  the  eye  to  the  end  of  the 
mouth,  five-eighth  of  an  inch  $ length  of  the  dorsal,  two  and 
one-half  inches ; heighth  of  the  same  in  its  most  elevated 
part,  one  and  one-quarter  inches ; length  of  the  caudal,  one 
and  one-quarter  inches,  breadth  at  its  extremity,  two  and 
one-quarter  inches,  at  its  base  one  inch ; thickness  of  the 
body,  one  and  one-eighth  inches ; length  of  the  anal  fin,  one 
and  one-quarter  inches  ; .distance  from  the  vent  to  the#  anal, 
one-quarter  of  an  inch ; from  the  anal  to  the  ventral  fins,  one 
and  three-eighths  inches ; length  of  the  pectorals,  one  and 
five-eighths  inches  ; from  the  centre  of  the  eyes  to  the  centre 
of  the  base  of  the  pectorals,  one  and  three-eighths  inches ; 
from  the  centre  of  the  eyes  to  the  prolongation  of  the  opercle, 
one  and  one-quarter  inches. 


Pomotis  appendix. — Black  Eared  Sun  Fish. — (Mitchell.) 

The  Black  Eared  Sun  or  Pond  Fish  is  a well  defined  spe- 
cies, although  not  so  well  knowm  or  so  widely  distributed  as 
the  vulgaris . Dr.  De  Kay  in  the  Ichthyological  part  of  the 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


49 


work  upon  the  Natural  History  of  the  State  of  New  York, 
quotes  this  species  from  Dr.  Mitchell,  but  says  he  never  him- 
self met  with  it;  this  is  indeed  singular,  because  in  many 
localities  they  are  very  numerous.  I have  experienced  no 
difficulty  in  obtaining  fifty  to  sixty  specimens  of  this  fish  in  a 
few  hours  on  several  occasions,  baiting  with  the  common 
earth  worm.  They  fully  equal  the  vulgaris  in  size,  their 
habits  are  similar,  but  "their  bodies  are  deeper  and  broader. 
The  prolongation  of  the  posterior  angle  of  the  opercle  is  a 
peculiar  characteristic  of  this  fish,  and  suggested  its  name. 
In  some  of  the  lakes  and  large  ponds  in  the  interior  of  New 
Jersey  and  the  adjacent  county  of  Rockland  in  this  State,  I 
have  taken  many  very  fine  specimens  of  the  appendix . 

Specific  Character  : Body  not  so  decidedly  compressed 
as  in  the  vulgaris , mouth  larger.  General  color,  yellowish 
brown.  Throat  and  whole  under  parts,  rich  reddish  brown, 
fading  towards  the  posterior  extremities.  Prolongation  of 
the  opercle,  ear-shaped  and  entirely  black.  Dorsal,  ten 
spinous  and  eleven  articulated  rays.  Caudal,  nineteen  rays. 
Anal,  three  spinous  and  ten  branched  rays.  Yentrals,  five 
rays.  Pectorals,  thirteen  rays. 

In  some  specimens  I have  taken,  the  sides  of  the  body 
were  tinged  with  a light  bluish  slate  color.  The  lower  parts 
are  much  richer  in  color  than  the  vulgaris . 


E 


50 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


Pomotis  secludens. 


This  new  species  of  Pomotis  I discovered  a few  years  since 
in  the  tributaries  of  the  Hackensack  River  in  New  Jersey, 
and  here  append  a minute  description  of  it.  It  will  at  once  be 
observed  that  its  characteristics  are  well  defined,  being  in  all 
cases  uniform ; and  although  extremely  local,  is  very  numer- 
ous in  its  special  localities.  Whilst  the  vulgaris  and  appendix 
love  the  sun  light,  delighting  to  bask  in  its  warm  rays,  this 
species  prefers  secluded  spots  where  vegetation  to  a great 
extent  closes  out  the  strong  light.  I find  them  exclusively 
in  those  localities  where  an  excess  of  aquatic  vegetation  exists. 
When  kept  in  Aquaria  as  ordinarily  placed,  in  reference 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


51 


to  light,  they  soon  lose  all  their  richness  of  color,  the  metallic 
hues  on  the  flanks  entirely  disappears.  The  blue  dots 
sprinkled  over  the  sides  fade  out  and  they  assume  a plain 
garb  of  yellowish  brown.  When  so  faded  out,  the  dark  ver- 
tical bands  are  much  more  prominently  seen  than  before 
upon  their  sides.  This  fact  of  their  color  being  so  quickly 
and  decidedly  changed  when  exposed  to  a strong  light,  may 
perhaps  be  accounted  for  from  their  natural  habits  of  seclusion 
just  mentioned.  I have  placed  many  hundreds  of  these  fish 
in  Aquaria,  and  wherever  the  same  were  too  much  exposed 
to  the  action  of  light,  which  I would  remark  is  almost  uni- 
versally the  case,  the  change  of  color  always  without  an 
exception  was  the  immediate  result.  In  other  respects  they 
are  hardy  and  bear  confinement  well ; the  chief  organic  dis- 
tinction in  this  species  is  the  remarkably  full  development  of 
the  fins,  more  especially  the  dorsal  and  anal.  In  the.  waters 
inhabited  by  them,  grow  masses  of  Ceratophyllum  demersum  and 
Lemna  trisulca. 

This  species  is  small,  never  exceeding  four  inches  in  length, 
out  of  many  hundreds  taken,  I have  never  seen  any  to  exceed 
this  length. 

Specific  Character  : Body  compressed  as  in  all  the  spe- 
cies of  the  genus,  fins  greatly  developed. 

General  color,  upper  part  of  the  body  deep  blackish  brown, 
with  innumerable,  small  bluish  dots.  A pale  lateral  line 
proceeds  from  the  upper  posterior  angle  of  the  opercles, 
forming  a curved  line  parallel  with  the  dorsal  ridge  of  the 
body,  and  terminating  near  the  lower  base  of  the  caudal.  The 
blue  dots  on  the  sides  of  the  body  arranged  in  irregular  lines 
laterally.  Flanks  and  abdomen,  rich  violet.  Opercles  with 
a conspicuous  black  oblong  spot  on  its  posterior  margin,  this 


52 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


black  spot  bordered  with  light  blue  on  its  upper,  anterior 
and  lower  edges ; the  rest  of  the  opercles,  deep  brownish 
black,  spotted  with  bright  blue.  A broad  and  well  defined 
black  vertical  band  extends  from  the  upper  part  of  the  head 
to  the  centre  of  the  upper  edge  of  the  hides,  continued  from 
the  lower  edge  of  the  same  to  the  base  of  the  opercles. 
Scales  broadly  rounded,  all  of  them  margined  with  dark 
brown,  with  their  centres  lightest.  Sides  of  the  body  with 
seven  vertical  bands  extending  the  depth  of  the  body. 

Dorsal  fin  with  eight  spinous  and  ten  branched  rays,  the 
first  anterior  spine  very  short,  second  and  third  progressively 
long  and  the  five  others  nearly  equal,  the  branched  rays  are 
each  terminated  by  four  distinct  branchlets.  Whole  of  the 
dorsal  clouded  with  reddish  brown,  each  ray  distinctly  dotted 
with  a series  of  light  blue  spots.  Caudal,  largely  developed, 
finely  rounded,  consisting  of  sixteen  branched  rays,  four 
branchlets  each,  clouded  and  spotted  as  in  the  dorsal.  Anal, 
rich  reddish  brown  on  its  upper  half,  with  two  spinous  and 
ten  branched  rays ; the  first  spinous  ray  very  short,  the  other 
double  the  length  of  the  first.  This  fin  is  remarkably  fully 
developed,  and  having  the  webs  spotted  with  light  blue, 
especially  the  posterior  ones.  Ventrals,  sharply  pointed 
anteriorly  and  well  rounded  posteriorly,  consisting  of  one 
spinous  and  five  branched  rays,  with  four  branchlets  each ; 
the  shafts  of  the  three  first  or  anterior  rays,  reddish  brown, 
the  fourth  and  fifth,  transparent ; webs  transparent.  Pec- 
torals, rounded,  with  eight  branched  rays  of  four  branch- 
lets  each. 

In  specimens  measuring  three  inches  in  length,  which  is  a 
fair  average  size  for  this  species,  the  following  relative  meas- 
urements are  strictly  correct : Body,  highly  arched,  the  first 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


53 


spine  of  the  dorsal  springing  a little  anterior  of  the  highest 
point  of  the  arch;  ventrals  placed  in  a line  immediately  below 
the  second  spine  of  the  dorsal ; vent,  one-half  the  distance 
from  the  base  of  the  anal  anteriorly,  as  it  is  to  the  posterior 
base  of  the  ventrals ; greatest  depth  of  the  fish,  one  and  one- 
eighth  inches ; lieighth  of  the  dorsal,  three-quarters  of  an 
inch ; length  of  the  caudal,  three-quarters  of  an  inch ; width 
of  the  same,  when  fully  expanded,  one  inch ; dSpth  of  the 
anal,  three-quarters  of  an  inch  ; breadth  of  the  same  at  the 
base,  five-eighths  of  an  inch,  and  when  fully  expanded,  one 
and  one-eighth  inches  from  the  tip  of  the  first  spinous  ray  to 
the  tip  of  the  posterior  branched  ray  ; distance  from  the  end 
of  the  jaws,  when  closed,  to  the  centre  of  the  eye,  one- 
quarter  of  an  inch ; thickness  of  the  body  in  its  fullest  part, 
three-eighths  of  an  inch. 

Two  distinct  punctures  placed  in  line  upon  the  head,  equi- 
distant betwixt  the  eyes ; also  four  punctures,  two  on  each 
side  of  the  head,  placed  laterally  with  each  other,  and  in  a 
line  with  those  betwixt  the  eyes.  There  are  likewise  two 
punctures  besides  the  above,  one  immediately  above  the 
upper  posterior  edge  of  the  irides,  the  other  slightly  below. 
Pupil  of  the  eye,  bluish  black;  irides  distinctly  tinged 
with  red. 

I have  necessarily  elaborated  the  specific  characters  of  this 
neAV  species,  in  order  to  clearly  show  the  grounds  upon  which 
I base  its  distinction. 

Amongst  the  interesting  family  of  Leuciscadce-Dace , we 
have  seven  species,  which  I introduce  to  your  notice  as  more 
or  less  suitable  to  our  tanks,  all  of  which  are  found  in  New 
York  State.  This  family  includes  some  of  the  smallest  and 
most  interesting  fish  our  Fauna  claims.  When  young,  all 

E* 


54  * THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM.  ' 

can  be  used  to  ornament  our  miniature  ponds.  Throughout 
the  United  States,  of  course  there  are  other  species  in  addi- 
tion to  the  seven  herein  described,  as  there  are  of  other 
families  ; but  it  is  deemed  best  to  confine  our  work  to  those 
procurable  in  the  vicinity  of  New  York,  but  very  few  extra 
ones  being  introduced,  and  these  only  when  possessing 
some  remarkable  or  interesting  feature  to  warrant  their 
introduction. 


Leuciscus  pygmceus. — Pigmy  Dace. 


The  first  of  the  Leuciscus  claiming  our  attention  is  the 
Leuciscus  pygmceus , Pigmy  Dace  or  Rock  Fish.  Although 
one  of  the  smallest  of  the  Dace,  its  superior  adaptability  to 
the  Aquarium  entitles  it  to  precedence.  The  tenacity  with 
which  it  clings  to  life  exceeds  that  of  any  known  fish,  not 
even  excepting  the  Gold  Fish.  As  a slight  instance  of  the 
fact,  I would  state  that  on  one  occasion  during  the  summer 
months,  whilst  returning  to  the  city  with  a large  number  of 
these  fish,  I accidentally  upset  my  can  and  lost  all  the  water, 
and  had  to  carry  them  a mile  before  I could  replenish  it,  and 
although  these  little  fish  were  carried  a full  mile  without  any 
water,  not  a single  one  died.  They  love  to  ascend  sluggish 
streams  to  their  source,  and  are  usually  found  most  plentiful 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  TIIE  AQTjARIUM. 


55 


where  the  water  is  shallowest.  They  lie  still  in  their  native 
streams,  poising  themselves  almost  motionless,  and  when 
they  espy  their  prey,  dart  with  great  swiftness  to  seize  it. 
They  seem  to  be  particularly  fond  of  poising  themselves  in  a 
vertical  oblique  line,  either  pointing  upwards  or  downwards. 
In  the  tank  they  will  freely  eat  the  common  house  fly, 
Musca  domestic a,  and  common  earth-worm,  and  will  likewise 
freely  eat  lean  beef. 

Dr.  De  Kay  figures  this  species  from  specimens  furnished 
him  by  Mr.  John  G.  Bell,  of  New  York,  and  must  evidently 
have  done  so  from  dead  specimens,  as  that  gentleman 
describes  them  as  having  a lanceolate  caudal  or  tail,  whilst 
they  have  most  positively  a fully  developed  and  expanded 
fan  tail,  which  is  beautifully^  rounded.  If  one  of  these  fish  be 
taken  from  the  water  and  held  in  the  hand  whilst  alive,  his 
fan  tail  closes  up  and  assumes  a lanceolate ; this  will  explain 
the  error  made  by  De  Kay.  Another  proof  of  the  value  of 
practical  experience.  The  same  author  also  describes  them 
as  never  exceeding  an  inch  in  length ; I have,  during  the  last 
four  or  five  years,  taken  many  hundreds  four  inches,  and  a 
few  four  and  one-half  inches  in  length.  They  appear  to  be 
extremely  local  in  their  habits,  and  are  found  in  sluggish 
streams  where  aquatic  plants  abound. 

Specific  Character  : Body,  oblong,  rounded,  having 

the  abdomen  prominent ; head,  depressed,  scaly,  upper  jaw 
shorter  than  the  under ; mouth,  small ; eyes,  large  and  prom- 
inent ; caudal,  fan  shaped,  beautifully  rounded ; general  color, 
varies  greatly  in  individual  specimens ; in  several  now  before 
me  they  are  nearly  black,  whilst  in  others,  also  before  me, 
they  are  light  cinnamon  color ; if  the  shades  of  color  vary, 
however,  the  markings  are  generally  the  same  ; sides  of  the 


56 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


body,  marked  with  numerous  lateral  interrupted  stripes  of 
dark  brown,  also  with  a distinct  lateral  stripe  of  light  brown  ; 
a black  stripe  extends  from  the  eye  to  the  anterior  upper 
angle  of  the  opercles ; a black  ocellated  spot  divided  into 
two  sections  at  the  base  of  the  caudal:  this  spot  is  sur- 
rounded with  a very  light  brown  marking,  rendering  the 
spot  well  defined  ; all  the  fins  diaphanous  ; pupil  of  the  eye, 
black ; irides,  light  brown ; dorsal  fin,  rounded  higher  pos- 
teriorly, twelve  rays  branched,  first  ray  short,  eighth  ray 
longest ; caudal,  fan  shaped,  beautifully  rounded,  consisting 
of  twelve  rays  branched  in  fours  ; anal  fin,  rounded,  of  eight 
rays  middle  ones  longest ; ventrals,  five  branched  rays ; pec- 
torals, six  rays  branched  and  rounded ; all  the  fins  diapha- 
nous ; shafts,  dark  brown. 

Although  preferring  live  food,  such  as  small  aquatic 
insects,  they  will  eat  beef  when  cut  in  small  bits. 


Leuciscus  atronasus . — Black  Nosed  Dace. 


This  species  is  also  called  the  Striped  Dace  and  Black 
Striped  Dace,  they  chiefly  frequent  clear  running  brooks  and 
trout  streams.  No  fish  excels  this  in  symmetry  and  few  in 
beauty.  I have  observed  a peculiarity  in  this  fish  which  is 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


57 


strongly  defined,  that  is  the  remarkable  revivifying  effect 
cold  water  has  upon  it.  Most  fish  when  they  commence 
swimming  in  an  inverted  position,  reeling  over  and  floating 
upon  the  waters’  surface  upon  their  sides,  in  consequence 
of  the  high  temperature  of  the  water,  cannot  be  revived  even 
if  the  water  be  wholly  or  partially  changed ; indeed  the  re- 
verse effect  is  usually  the  case,  most  species  being  injured 
and  many  immediately  killed  by  too  sudden  a change  of  the 
temperature  of  the  water ; not  so  however  with  the  atronasus. 
Cold  water  instantly  revives  this  species  and  from  experi- 
ments I have  made  in  this  direction,  I have  found  it  an 
almost  infallible  rule. 

This  species  appears  to  be  particularly  fond  of  cold,  clear 
running  brooks  having  gravelly  beds,  found  usually  with 
Pomotis  vulgaris , Catastoma  pallidus , IPydrargia  diaphana  and 
Astacus  Bartonic.  Many  might  say  that  the  reason  of  this 
species  being  revived  so  easily  with  cold  water  is  accounted 
for  from  the  fact  of  its  inhabiting,  naturally,  cold  brooks, 
such  however  cannot  be  its  solution,  because  its  companions 
just  mentioned  are  effected  in  just  the  reverse  manner  by  a 
sudden  change  of  water. 

The  Black  Nosed  Dace  do  not  attain  their  full  beauty  dur- 
ing the  first  or  second  seasons,  the  red  on  the  fins  appearing 
in  only  adult  specimens,  they  attain  a length  of  three  to  four 
inches,  rarely  exceeding  the  same. 

Specific  Character:  Body  elongated  and  rounded,  cau- 
dal, deeply  forked.  General  color,  whole  upper  parts,  rich 
cinnamon  brown,  sometimes  tinged  with  olive  brown,  back 
and  upper  part  of  the  sides  marked  with  a few  irregular 
blotches  of  black,  whole  under  parts,  satin  white.  A very  dis- 
tinct and  conspicuous  lateral  broad  stripe  from  the  extremity 


58 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


of  the  nose  passes  in  a direct  line  through  the  lower  half 
of  the  eyes,  thence  to  the  centre  of  the  base  of  the  caudal, 
this  line  is  deep  black,  with  another  similar  line  running  par- 
allel with  it  of  a light  reddish  brown  color.  A stripe  of  light 
cinnamon  along  the  dorsal  ridge.  Eyes  full  and  prominent, 
the  pupils  black,  irides,  light  brown.  Dorsal,  dark  brown, 
with  eight  rays.  Caudal,  dark  brown,  nineteen  rays.  Anal, 
higher  than  long.  Ventrals,  bright  orange,  eight  rays. 
Pectorals,  bright  orange,  fifteen  rays.  In  the  younger  speci- 
mens the  orange  color  of  the  fins  are  wanting,  and  the  whole 
colors  are  less  brilliant. 


This  is  a very  common  species,  called  in  some  localities 
Silver  Roach,  they  abound  in  most  of  the  smaller  streams  of 
this  State  and  when  fully  grown  attain  a length  of  ten  or 
twelve  inches  ; they  are  well  adapted  to  the  Aquarium.  In 
some  special  localities  of  New  Jersey  they  are  universally 
sprinkled  over  with  small  black  dots.  In  the  tributaries  of 
the  Passaic  I have  taken  particularly  large  specimens  of  this 
fish,  baiting  with  the  common  earth  worm. 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


59 


Specific  Character  : Body  elongated  and  compressed. 
Head  with  a series  of  mucous  pores.  Caudal,  deeply  emar- 
ginate,  almost  furcate.  General  color,  whole  upper  parts 
silver  white,  tinged  with  blue  on  the  back  and  upper  portion 
of  the  sides.  Pupil  of  the  eye,  black,  encircled  with  a rather 
large  luminous  silver  ring.  Dorsal  fin,  quadrate  with  eight 
rays.  Caudal,  nineteen  rays.  Anal,  nine  rays,  the  second 
and  third  anterior  ones  longest.  Yentrals,  ten  rays.  Pec- 
torals small  and  slender,  sixteen  rays.  Yentrals  in  a line 
below  the  dorsal.  Head  smooth  and  flattened  above.  All 
the  lower  fins  beautifully  tinged  with  orange  red. 


Leuciscus  vittcitus . — Banded  Pace.—  (De  Kay.) 


This  is  one  of  the  best  fish  we  have  for  the  Aquarium, 
when  small  they  are  well  adapted,  being  hardy,  lively  and 
handsome.  They  are  much  easier  kept  than  the  atronasus  to 
which  they  are  allied.  In  the  Mohawk  and  tributaries  they 
are  very  numerous,  being  gregarious  in  their  habits.  They 
are  also  numerous  in  the  River  Bronx,  Westchester  County, 
and  indeed  in  many  other  streams  in  our  vicinity. 


60 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


Specific  Character  : Body,  sub-cylindrical,  tapering ; 

head,  flattened  above ; mouth,  small,  scaleless,  and  having  a 
series  of  mucous  pores;  eyes,  large;  pupils  of  the  same, 
black ; irides,  light  brown ; dorsal,  with  a golden  dorsal 
stripe  extending  to  the  tail ; upper  part  of  the  body,  olive 
green ; sides  of  the  body  with  a conspicuous  black  stripe 
extending  from  the  extremity  of  the  head,  to  the  base  of  the 
caudal,  immediately  above  which  is  a yellow  stripe  parallel 
with  it ; abdomen  silvery  white,  more  or  less  tinged  with 
salmon  color ; fins,  pale  yellowish ; dorsal  fin,  quadrate  higher 
than  long,  of  nine  rays,  the  first  simple,  second  longest; 
caudal,  deeply  forked,  nineteen  rays ; anal,  rounded,  eight 
rays  ; ventrals,  eight  rays  ; pectorals,  fifteen  rays. 


Leuciscus  atromaculatus. — Black  Headed  Dace. — {Mitchell.) 

This  is  a very  beautiful  fish,  and  very  common  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  State  of  New  York.  They  attain  a 
length  of  ten  to  twelve  inches. 

Specific  Character  : General  form  of  the  Leuciscidcc , 

except  that  the  back  is  slightly  depressed,  anterior  to  the 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


61 


dorsal  fin,  and  the  mouth  is  larger  than  most  of  the  Dace ; 
general  color,  upper  part  of  the  body  dark  olive  green,  hav- 
ing a broad  lateral  band  of  a darker  hue  extending  from  the 
opercles  to  the  caudal ; sides  of  the  body,  rich  golden  yellow, 
shading  into  silvery  white  on  the  under  parts  ; head,  deep 
brownish  black  ; lips,  fleshy  ; opercles  lustrous ; pupil  of  the 
eye,  black  ; irides,  rich  golden  yellow  ; dorsal,  rounded  with 
nine  rays  and  having  a black  spot  near  the  base  of  the  ante- 
rior ones ; caudal,  eighteen  rays,  branched  in  fives ; anal,  nine 
rays,  light  orange  $ ventrals,  eight  rays,  light  orange $ pec- 
torals, fifteen  rays,  light  orange. 


Leuciscus  Hudsonius. — Spawn  Eater. — (De  Witt  Clinton.) 

s 

Its  name  illustrates  its  habits  ; its  beauty  strongly  recom- 
mends it  to  us  for  the  Aquarium,  but  it  should  be  kept  alone, 
or  at  least  should  never  be  kept  with  smaller  fish.  It  is  a 
common  species  in  the  Hudson  and  many  of  its  tributaries. 

Specific  Character:  General  color,  brownish,  darkest 

on  the  back ; a lateral  broad  lustrous  silvery  band  extends 

F 


62 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


from  the  opercles  to  the  base  of  the  caudal,  at  which  termina- 
tion is  a deep  black  conspicuous  ocellated  spot ; pupils, 
black ; irides,  silvery  white ; two  or  three  irregular  shaped 
black  spots  betwixt  the  eyes  and  the  extremity  of  the  head ; 
dorsal,  eight  branched  rays,  the  anterior  one  longest ; caudal, 
ninteen  rays  ; anal,  rounded  ; ventfals,  eight  rays,  one  simple 
and  seven  branched ; pectorals,  pointed,  fifteen  rays ; opercles, 
silvery,  length  six  inches. 


Leuciscus  cornutus. — Horned  Dace. — {Mitchell.) 


This  fish  is  more  commonly  known  as  the  Red  Fin.  But 
few  of  our  fluvial  fishes  excels  this  for  beauty  of  marking  or 
brilliancy  of  coloring.  Many  who  read  this  can  recall  to 
mind  reminiscensces  of  their  boyish  days,  when  at  the  old 
mill  dam  they  have  spent  many  hours  of  pleasure,  catching 
the  handsome  red-fin ; how  patiently  have  they  looked  down 
into  the  pure  stream  in  whose  limpid  waters  these  fish  might 
be  seen  lying  close  to  the  rocky  bottom,  looking  with  a 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


63 


desiring  yet  distrustful  eye  upon  the  bait  lowered  down  to 
allure  them.  Patiently  has  the  young  sportsman  waited, 
buoyed  up  with  eager  hope,  again  almost  despairing,  lest  his 
wished  for  prize  would  not  yield  to  the  tempting  allurement 
of  the  bait ; when  at  last  this  cunning  fish  yields  to  the  temp- 
tation, darting  suddenly  at  it,  with  what  eagerness  does  he 
quickly  raise  it  from  the  water,  and  with  what  admiration 
does  he  gaze  upon  its  beautiful  hues,  more  especially  its  crim- 
son fins,  that  fairly  glisten  with  vivid  beauty  in  the  rays 
of  the  sun. 

They  are  esteemed  as  an  article  of  food,  and  take  the  bait 
more  readily  immediately  after  a good  shower  of  rain.  As  a 
general  thing  they  are  easiest  taken  with  the  hook  early 
in  spring. 

Specific  Character  : Length,  six  to  seven  inches.  Gen- 
eral color,  upper  part  rich  blackish  brown,  with  beautiful 
metallic  reflections.  Sides  of  the  body,  brilliant  cupreous. 
Opercles,  bright  bronze  gold  color,  tinged  on  the  lower  por- 
tion with  deep  crimson.  Head  furnished  with  a number  of 
minute  horns  or  protuberances  of  a tuberculous  character, 
which  are  peculiar  to  this  species,  and  suggested  its  name, 
cornutus-horned.  Dorsal,  dark  brown,  eight  rays.  Caudal, 
slightly  emarginate,  dark  brown.  Anal,  nine  rays.  Ventrals, 
eight  rays.  Pectorals  at  the  base,  deep  crimson,  having 
fifteen  rays.  All  the  fins  conspicuously  margined  with  deep 


crimson. 


64 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


Abraxnis  versicolor. — Bream. — (De  Kay.) 


This  fish  is  known  by  numerous  local  names,  such  as 
Variegated  Bream,  Yellow-bellied  Perch,  Dace,  Wind  Fish  and 
others.  Why  it  ever  received  the  name  of  Yellow-bellied 
Perch  is  not  easily  accounted  for,  as  it  has  no  character  in 
common  with  the  Perch ; it  might,  however,  be  mistaken  for 
a Dace.  It  received  the  odd  name  of  Wind  Fish,  from  the 
fact  that  during  very  windy  weather  when  the  surface  of  the 
water  is  considerably  ruffled,  these  fish  may  be  seen  in  hun- 
dreds, playfully  gamboling  on  the  surface.  It  attains  a length 
of  seven  inches  and  is  numerous  in  many  of  the  streams  on 
the  eastern  end  of  Long  Island,  also  in  the  Hudson  and 
several  of  its  tributaries.  They  are  esteemed  as  an  article 
of  food. 

Specific  Character  : Upper  part  of  the  head,  deep  brown- 
ish black  ; upper  part  of  the  body,  silvery  with  metallic  green 
and  blue  reflections,  lower  part  of  the  same,  golden.  Pupils, 
black,  irides,  yellow.  Caudal,  nineteen  rays.  Anal,  tinged 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


65 


with  yellow,  fourteen  rays,  one  simple  and  thirteen  branched. 
Ventrals,  deep  orange,  nine  rays.  Pectorals,  dull  yellow, 
fourteen  rays.  Lateral  line  low  and  sharply  curved  down- 
wards, the  curve  ascending  from  a line  midway  betwixt  the 
ventrals  and  the  anal  fins,  thence  parallel  with  the  lower  line 
of  the  abdomen  to  its  termination  at  the  base  of  the  caudal. 


Stilbe  chrysoleucas. — Golden  Dace.  — {Mitchell.) 

This  species  is  also  called  the  New  York  Shiner.  But 
little  is  known  of  this  beautiful  fish.  I have  taken  a few  of 
them  in  the  Croton  River,  eight  to  ten  inches,  but  this  is  an 
unusual  size,  six  inches  being  an  average  size,  the  specimens 
I obtained  in  that  river  were  more  golden  than  usually  found. 
I placed  some  fine  specimens  of  this  fish  in  the  Aquaria  of  the 
American  Museum,  where  they  remained  for  a long  time. 

Specific  Character  : Upper  part  of  the  head,  dark  brown, 
with  metallic  green  betwixt  the  eyes.  Head  very  small. 
Upper  part  of  the  body,  greenish  yellow,  sides  pale  gold, 
tinged  with  silver.  Eyes,  large  and  prominent.  Dorsal,  ten 
rays,  the  first  short,  but  just  protruding,  second  and  third, 


66 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


progressively  longer,  the  fourth,  longest.  Caudal,  nineteen 
rays.  Yentrals,  ten  rays,  faint  orange.  Pectorals,  fifteen 
rays,  pale  orange.  Pupils,  black;  hides,  pale  yellow.  Lat- 
eral line  descending  with  a curve  to  a line  with  the  ventrals  ; 
then  the  curve  ascends  parallel  with  the  abdomen,  terminating 
at  the  base  of  the  caudal.  This  lateral  line  is  placed  rather 
low  on  the  sides  of  the  body,  in  a similar  way  to  that  in  the 
Abramis  versicolor. 


Bciione  fontanalis. — Pigmy  Trout.- — (De  Kay.) 

This  is  one  of  our  smallest  fluvial  fishes,  seldom  exceeding 
two  inches  in  length.  They  frequent  deep  springs  in  Rock- 
land, Orange  and  other  counties  in  this  State,  where  it  is 
commonly  known  as  the  Trout  Pig. 

Specific  Character  : Body,  slender,  elongated.  Eyes, 
large  orbits  surrounded  by  a series  of  mucous  pores.  General 
color,  upper  part  of  the  body,  blackish  brown,  sides  of  the 
body,  silvery,  with  seven  or  eight  black  vertical  bands,  lat- 
eral line  distinct,  slightly  curved  downwards.  Dorsal,  in  two 
parts,  mottled  with  dark  brown.  Caudal,  emarginate,  nine- 
teen rays.  Anal,  quadrate,  nine  rays.  Yentrals,  seven  rays, 
one  simple  and  six  branched.  Pectorals,  twelve  rays.  All 
the  fins,  except  the  dorsal,  tinged  with  orange  on  their  outer 
margins. 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


67 


Boleosoma  tessellatum. — Tessellated  Darter. — ( DeKay .) 


This  is  another  small  fish,  remarkable  for  its  development 
of  fins ; the  accompanying  figure  represents  its  adult  size. 
Their  habits  are  peculiar,  they  love  to  lie  on  the  pebbly  bot- 
tom of  clear  springs,  perfectly  motionless,  awaiting  their 
prey,  which  they  seize  with  wondrous  velocity,  darting  sud- 
denly at  them  ; this  habit  suggesting  their  name.  If  intended 
for  the  Aquarium,  they  should  be  handled  with  great  care,  as 
they  are  very  tender,  but  live  w^ell  after  being  properly  accli- 
mated to  the  tank.  Length,  two  and  a half  to  three  inches. 

Specific  Character  : Head  prominent,  body  rounded, 
elongated.  Caudal,  rounded.  Dorsals,  largely  developed. 
General  color,  olive  brown,  with  five  to  seven  oblong  quad- 
rate black  spots  on  the  dorsal  line.  Sides  of  the  body,  with 
a series  of  seven  to  nine  black  spots,  forming  a conspicuous 
interrupted  lateral  band.  Dorsals,  two.  Anterior  dorsal, 
nine  spinous  rays ; posterior  dorsal,  fourteen  branched  rays, 
having  the  shafts  of  the  same  dotted  with  black.  Caudal, 
seventeen  rays,  rigid,  forming  a powerful  instrument.  Anal, 


68 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


eighteen  rays.  Ventrals,  six  rays,  one  simple  and  five 
branched.  Pectorals,  thirteen  rays.  All  the  fins  pellucid. 
Pupils,  black ; hides,  brownish. 


Lebias  ovinus. — Sheep’s  Head  Lebias. — {Mitchell.) 


This  is  a marine  fish,  frequenting  brackish  waters  during 
the  spawning  season,  but  I introduce  it  here  because  it  can 
readily  be  acclimated  to  the  Fluvial  Aquarium,  and  is  desira- 
ble on  account  of  its  small  size,  activity  and  brilliancy 
of  coloring.  Of  all  the  fishes  found  in  this  latitude,  none 
excel  this  little  gem  for  brilliancy  of  hues  5 clothed  in  a rain- 
bow robe  of  metallic  colors,  he  may  be  seen  full  of  his  lively 
gambols,  now  basking  in  the  rays  of  the  summers’  sun,  or 
playfully  leaping  above  the  waters’  surface,  and  suddenly  dis- 
appearing when  disturbed.  They  are  easily  obtained  during 
the  spring  months,  frequenting  at  that  season  the  brackish 
waters  of  the  numerous  inlets  of  our  coast,  and  will  live  well 
in  a fresh  water  tank  if  properly  acclimated  to  the  change. 
Should  you  desire  to  introduce  them  into  your  Aquarium,  if 
just  taken  from  their  native  waters,  it  should  be  done  gradually, 
by  keeping  them  in  the  same  water,  gradually  reducing  it  from 
day  to  day  by  adding  fresh  water  to  it,  and  in  a weeks’  time 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


69 


your  Lebias  can  safely  be  introduced  into  the  pure  water  of 
your  Aquarium.  The  above  figure  represents  an  adult  speci- 
men of  this  fish. 

Specific  Character:  Body,  considerably  resembling  the 
Pomotis , being  elliptical  and  compressed.  General  color, 
upper  parts,  dark  metallic  green,  with  numerous  interrupted 
bars  on  the  sides,  running  vertically.  In  the  male,  the  throat 
and  anterior  lower  parts  are  bright  rufous.  Sides  of  the  body 
tinged  with  metallic  blue.  Pupils,  black ; irides,  yellow. 
Fins,  light  brown,  the  caudal  transparent  at  its  extremity. 
Dorsal,  eleven  rays.  Caudal,  fifteen  rays,  even  at  the  end 
and  very  short.  Anal,  ten  rays.  Yentrals,  seven  rays. 
Pectorals,  fifteen  rays. 


TJranidea  quiescens. — Little  Star  Gazer. — (De  Kay.) 


Never  having  met  with  this  species,  I introduce  it  here 
on  the  authority  of  Dr.  De  Kay,  the  figure  and  main  features 
of  his  description  I quote.  “At  present  they  are  only  known 
to  inhabit  Round  and  Pleasant  Lakes,  Herkimer  County, 
New  York.  Its  small  size  and  peculiarity  of  form  indicate 


70 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


it  would  be  a desirable  addition  to  our  Fluvial  Aquarium,  but 
I am  unable  to  speak  from  experience  of  its  adaptability  to 
the  same.  The  peculiar  habit  they  have  of  lying  at  the  bottom 
of  the  lake  perfectly  still,  with  their  head  twisted  as  it  were, 
looking  upwards,  is  peculiar  to  this  species,  and  suggested  its 
name.” 

Specific  Character:  General  color,  olive  brown,  mixed 
with  indistinct  dark  irregular  spots.  Head  darker  than  the 
body.  Lower  parts  nearly  white.  Dorsal,  two  ; anterior 
dorsal,  seven  simple  spinous  rays ; posterior,  dorsal,  sixteen 
slender  rays.  Caudal,  thirteen  rays,  tinged  with  orange. 
Anal,  thirteen  rays.  Pectorals,  ten  rays,  tinged  with  orange. 
Yentrals,  very  elongated,  three  slender  rays.  Eyes,  large. 


Catastomus pallidus. — Pale  Sucker. — {Be  Kay' 


This  common  species  has  nothing  of  worth  to  recommend 
them  to  us ; as  far  as  my  experience  goes,  they  will  not  feed 
in  the  Aquarium.  They  frequent  running  brooks  in  company 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


71 


with  the  Leuciscus  atronasus , Sahno  fontanalis , Poinotis  vulgaris , 
and  Hydrargia  diaphana. 

Specific  Character  : Head,  dark  green,  with  metallic 
reflections  on  the  cheeks.  Back,  pale  bluish,  intermixed  with 
light  yellow  on  the  sides  of  the  same.  Under  parts,  white. 
Pupil  of  the  eye,  black ; irides,  yellow.  Dorsal,  thirteen  rays, 
dark  brown,  tinged  with  yellow.  Caudal,  eighteen  rays, 
same  color  as  the  dorsal.  Anal,  eight  rays,  slightly  tinged 
with  yellow.  Ventrals,  nine  rays,  rich  orange.  Pectorals, 
sixteen  rays,  rich  bronze. 


Catastomus  tuberculatus — Horned  Sucker. 


This  species  inhabits  running  streams  in  the  interior  of  the 
States  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  and  is  commonly  called 
Barbel,  Horned  Dace  and  Horned  Sucker.  Their  greatest 
length  is  nine  to  ten  inches. 

Specific  Character  : Head,  dark  olive  green ; back  and 

sides,  green  with  rich  purple  and  gold  reflections ; flanks 
tinged  with  yellow ; abdomen,  pale  yellow,  slightly  tinged 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


r 

72 

with  flesh  color ; scales  diamond  shape ; dorsal,  fifteen  rays, 
light  brown  ; caudal,  ninteen  rays,  pale  olive  brown  ; anal  fin, 
ten  rays,  dark  dingy  brown  ; ventrals,  eight  rays,  light  olive ; 
pectorals,  sixteen  rays,  their  base  flesh  colored ; betwixt  the 
eyes  and  the  extremity  of  the  head  are  from  three  to  five 
circular  tubercules,  hence  its  name. 


Labeo  oblongus. — Brilliant  Chubsucker. — (Mitchell) 


This  handsome  species  I have  found  comparatively  rare, 
but  have  occasionally  taken  them  in  the  tributaries  of  the 
Passaic,  New  Jersey.  Very  common  in  the  Susquehanna 
and  other  interior  streams  of  Pennsylvania. 

Specific  Character  : Upper  part  of  the  body,  dark  olive 

green,  shading  into  light  cinnamon  along  the  sides  of  the 
same  ; under  parts,  light  cinnamon  ; a dorsal  line  of  light  cin- 
namon along  the  top  of  the  back,  and  a pale  lateral  stripe 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


73 


along  the  sides ; this  lateral  stripe  is  often  indistinct,  a fine 
specimen  now  before  me  has  but  the  slightest  indication  of  it ; 
sides  of  the  head,  greenish  blue  of  metallic  lustre ; dorsal, 
high,  one  simple  and  twelve  branched  rays,  the  upper  half 
of  the  branched  rays  divided  into  eight  branchlets  each ; 
shafts  of  the  dorsal  fin,  cinnamon,  webs,  olive  brown  ; caudal, 
emarginate,  ninteen  rays  branched  as  in  the  dorsal ; anal, 
pointed  obtusely  in  the  centre,  eight  rays  of  eight  branchlets 
each,  the  middle  rays  longest,  the  shafts  cinnamon  tinged 
with  red ; pectorals,  thirteen  rays  branched  in  fours,  bright 
red,  slightly  clouded  towards  the  tip ; webs  of  the  caudal, 
dark  olive  brown,  shafts,  cinnamon.  This  handsome  fish 
attains  to  a length  of  ten  to  twelve  inches. 


This  is  also  a beautiful  species,  as  indeed  are  all  the  Labeo , 
but  they  are  a Genera  as  yet  but  little  known.  This  fish  is 
quite  numerous  in  the  waters  of  the  interior  of  this  State, 

and  attain  to  nearly  the  same  size  as  the  oblongus . 

G 


74  THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  TIIE  AQUARIUM. 

Specific  Character  : Body,  deep  and  rounded  ; caudal, 

emarginate  ; anal  fin,  largely  developed  ; general  color  : head, 
bright  green,  body,  bluish  above,  under  parts  nearly  white, 
slightly  tinged  with  pink  near  the  abdomen ; opercles,  gol- 
den ; dorsal,  twelve  articulated  rays,  nearly  quadrate ; caudal, 
seventeen  rays,  tinged  with  rose  red  ; anal,  long;  eight  rays ; 
ventrals,  nine  rays ; pectorals,  fifteen  rays,  placed  low  oh 
the  body. 

They  frequent  similar  localities  to  the  Ccitastoma  tuberculatus , 
but  are  rare  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  City  of 
New  York. 


Labeo  gibbosus . — Gibbous  Chubsucker. 

This  is  likewise  a numerous  species  in  the  interior  and 
northern  portion  of  this  State.  They  attain  a length  of  eight 
or  nine  inches  and  are  one  of  the  handsomest  fish  we  have. 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


75 


Specific  Character  : Upper  part  of  the  body,  dark  blue 

witli  gold  reflections,  four  or  five  dark  vertical  bands  across 
the  back  ; dorsal  quadrate,  bluish  green,  seventeen  rays ; cau- 
dal, eighteen  rays  tinged  with  brilliant  carmine  and  violet  $ 
anal  fin,  deeply  emarginate,  almost  furcate,  tinged  with 
orange,  consisting  of  nine  rays  ; ventrals,  nine  rays,  reddish 
orange  $ pectorals,  sixteen  rays,  reddish  orange. 

The  next  claiming  our  notice  are  the  Pimelodus , Cat  Fish  ; 
of  this  Geqera  we  have  three  species  found  in  this  latitude, 
all  of  which  are  adapted  to  the  Aquarium,  when  young. 


This  is  the  smallest  of  the  three  species,  rarely  exceeding 
four  to  five  inches  in  length.  This  is  one  of  the  species 
Capt.  Mortimer  and  myself  have  introduced  into  private 
ponds  in  England ; with  what  success  they  will  become 
acclimated,  time  alone  can  determine. 


76 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


Specific  Character  : General  color,  deep  black,  fading 

into  ash  color  beneath ; dorsal,  one  acute  spine  and  six  soft 
rays ; adipose  dorsal,  long  and  slender ; caudal,  seventeen 
rays,  slightly  emarginate,  with  the  ends  of  the  webs  rounded  ; 
anal,  long,  twenty  rays ; ventrals,  eight  rays,  small  and 
feeble,  the  first  one  spinous  ; pectorals,  one  spinous  and  seven 
branched  rays.  This  species  will  breed  in  confinement,  in 
the  Aquarium. 


Pimelodus  pullus. — Brown  Cat  Fish. — (De  Kay.) 

This  is  the  largest  species  of  the  three,  attaining  a length 
of  thirteen  or  fourteen  inches,  sometimes  even  exceeding 
this. 

Specific  Character  : General  color,  dark  brown,  bluish 
white  beneath.  Fins,  black,  tinged  with  red.  Pupil  of  the 
eye,  black  ; irides,  as  in  the  other  species,  clear  pearly  white. 
Eyes,  small,  as  in  all  the  Pimelodus . Dorsal,  one  stiff  acute 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


77 


spine  serrated  on  its  posterior  edge,  and  five  soft  rays.  Cau- 
dal, slightly  emarginate,  of  nineteen  rays.  Anal,  long, 
seventeen  rays.  Ventrals,  eight  rays.  Pectorals  set  low, 
one  sharp  spine  and  seven  other  rays. 


Pimelodus  catus. — Common  Cat  Fish. — ( Linnceus .) 


This  species  attains  a length  of  eight  to  ten  inches. 

Specific  Character  : Head  darker  than  the  body,  cheeks 
tinged  with  olive  green,  back  and  sides,  dusky  brown, 
lighter  beneath.  Pupils,  black ; irides,  clear  white.  Fins, 
dusky.  Dorsal  fin,  one  spinous  and  six  soft  rays.  Caudal, 
rounded,  nineteen  rays.  Yentrals,  eight  rays.  Pectorals, 
feeble,  with  one  serrated  spine  and  nine  thickly  crowded 
articulated  rays. 

G* 


78 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


Anguilla  tenuirostris . — Common  Eel. — (De  Kay.) 


This  very  common  species  is  universally  known,  they 
attain  a length  of  two  to  even  three  feet.  If  introduced  into 
the  Aquarium,  the  smaller  they  are  the  better,  as  they  are 
destructive  to  other  fish  when  they  are  large. 

Specific  Character:  Head,  small,  tapering  to  the  jaws. 
Dorsal,  caudal,  and  anal  fins  united  in  one,  consisting  of  three 
hundred  and  twenty  to  three  hundred  and  forty  rays.  Ven- 
trals,  wanting.  Pectorals,  small,  sixteen  rays.  Eyes,  small. 
Lateral  line,  straight,  but  indistinct.  Lower  jaw  longest. 


Ammoccetus  unicolor.—  Plain  Mud  Lamprey  Eel. — (De  Kay.) 

This  and  the  following  species  are  introduced,  on  account 
of  their  small  size,  the  representations  being  life  size.  They 
are.  numerous  in  the  interior  of  our  State. 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


79 


Specific  Character  : Upper  parts,  dusky  brown,  lightest 
beneath,  anterior  part  of  the  head  darkest.  Dorsal  and 
caudal  united. 


Peteromyxon  appendix. — Small  Lamprey. — (Be  Kay.) 


Specific  Character  : Length,  six  inches.  General  color, 
dark  lead,  lighter  beneath.  Fins,  light  amber.  Dorsal  apd 
caudal  united.  Anal,  small,  with  a thread-like  appendage  to 
its  anterior  margin. 

Of  Genus  Gasterosteus-SticMebaclcs  we  have  four  species, 
found  in  the  vicinity  of  New  York ; they  are  all  suited  to  the 
Aquarium  and  are  the  only  fish,  except  the  Pimelodus , that 
will  propogate  therein.  They  have  received  the  name  of 
Sticklebacks  from  the  fact  of  their  backs  being  armed  with 
acute  rigid  spines. 

The  upiale  Stickleback  constructs  a nest  of  refuse  vegetation, 
having  an  entrance  at  either  end,  he  industriously  collects 


80 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


the  materials  and  cements  it  together  by  means  of  a gluten 
he  exudes.  In  the  Aquaria  I have  placed  many  pairs  of 
these  during  the  last  four  years,  which  have  built  their  nests 
and  reared  their  progeny.  Much  has  been  written  on  the 
loves  of  birds,  poetry  and  song  hath  immortalized  the  theme, 
still  nothing  of  the  kind  has  appeared  in  regard  to  fishes. 
Still  we  have  many  evidences  of  conjugal  love  and  paternal 
affection  even  amongst  fish,  and  none  display  it  more  strik- 
ingly than  the  little  Sticklebacks.  During  the  season  of  love, 
the  male  assumes  a special  garb  of  richest  colors,  as  if  for  the 
occasion,  for  at  other  seasons  these  brilliant  hues  disappear  ? at 
this  nuptial  period  the  whole  under  part  of  the  Gasterosteus 
biaculeatus  becomes  the  deepest  crimson,  whilst  the  upper  parts 
are  bright  light  blue ; and  small  and  insignificant  as  they 
appear,  they  are  masters  of  their  locality,  then  spirited  bra- 
very, being  analagous  to  that  of  the  Tyrannous  intrepidus 
amongst  birds.. 

The  male  Stickleback  performs  all  the  maternal  and  pater- 
nal offices,  except  the  deposit  of  the  spawn.  Although  this 
may  be  at  variance  with  other  writers’  statements,  yet  it  is 
nevertheless  a fact,  as  I have  had  many  excellent  opportuni- 
ties of  occular  proof. 

The  male  constructs  the  nest  in  the  first  place,  and  after 
the  spawn  is  deposited  by  the  female,  he  impregnates  it,  and 
stands  guard  over  it  until  the  young  appear,  which  usually 
occurs  in  about  eighteen  days.  When  they  first  appear,  his 
vigilance  and  solicitude  are  redoubled,  and  for  the  first  few 
days  does  not  even  allow  the  young  to  ramble  from  the  nest, 
should  any,  however,  succeed  in  eluding  his  watchfulness'  and 
escape  from  the  immediate  confines  of  the  same,  he  instantly 
seizes  them  in  his  mouth,  carries  them  back,  and  gently,  as 


fllE  ’ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


81 


it  were,  blows  them  into  the  nest.  After  a few  days,  how- 
ever, he  allows  them  to  roam,  whither  they  choose.  The 
female  should  then  be  taken  from  the  tank,  or  else  she  will  de- 
stroy the  young  fry.  At  this  time  the  brilliant  hues  of  the  male 
gradually  disappears,  and  in  a short  time  he  assumes  his  sil- 
very metallic  garb  as  before. 

In  the  fens  of  Lincolnshire,  England,  the  Sticklebacks  are 
so  numerous,  the  farmers  use  them  for  manure. 


Gasterosteus  biaculeatus. — Two  Spined  Stickleback. 


This  interesting  fish,  although  the  largest  species  of  the 
genus  found  in  this  latitude,  is  only  two  to  two  and  one- 
half  inches  in  length.  The  figure  above  represents  its  adult 
size.  They  frequent  brackish  and  even  fresh  waters,  and 
during  the  spring  months,  which  is  their  spawning  season, 
are  quite  numerous.  I have  many  times  taken  them  in  the 
marsh  inlets  of  the  shores  of  Long  Island  and  New  Jersey, 
when  I had  to  break  holes  in  the  ice ; the  males  usually 
assume  the  nuptial  garb  (before  spoken  of)  about  the  middle 
of  March,  and  it  disappears  after  the  spawning  season  passes. 


82  THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  TIIE  AQUARIUM 

All  the  Gasterosteus  will  thrive  well  in  either  a marine  or 
fluvial  Aquarium,  but  one  thing  is  certain,  the  biaculeatus 
should  never  be  kept  in  a tank  with  smaller  fish ; they  are 
perfect  tyrants,  annoy  all  their  companions,  continually  hunt- 
ing the  smaller  fish,  and  as  often  as  possible  nipping  their 
fins  ; but  whilst  they  annoy  small  fish  in  this  manner,  they 
do  not  appear  materially  to  molest  large  ones. 

Specific  Character  : Upper  part  of  the  body,  rich  olive 

green  tinted  with  yellowish  shades,  and  irregularly  marked 
with  irregular  shaped  dark  blotches ; sides  of  the  body  and 
under  parts,  metallic  white,  the  sides  considerably  sprinkled 
over  with  minute  black  dots ; pupils,  black ; irides,  silvery 
slightly  tinged  with  yellowish  orange;  sides  of  the  body 
mailed  with  thirty  vertical  plates,  the  first  commencing  in  a 
line  directly  above  the  pectorals,  these  plates  extend  two- 
thirds  down  the  sides  of  the  body ; ventral  plate,  lanceolate 
posteriorly ; a faint  lateral  line,  rather  high,  extending  to  the 
base  of  the  caudal ; dorsal,  armed  with  two  long  acute  spines 
anterior  to  the  fin  ; dorsal  fin,  one  short  spine  and  eleven 
simple  rays,  upper  margin  of  the  fin  even,  webs  transparent ; 
caudal  fin,  small,  twelve  branched  rays ; anal,  one  short  spi- 
nous ray  slightly  curved,  and  eight  transparent  branched 
rays ; ventrals,  wanting,  but  with  two  sharp  long  spines  in 
their  place,  these  spines  have  their  anterior  margins  smooth, 
posterior  serrated,  with  two  small  spinous  processes  at  their 
base,  anterior  side  of  the  spines,  bright  orange  for  two-thirds 
of  their  length ; pectorals,  ten  transparent  rays. 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  TIIE  AQUARIUM. 


83 


Gasterosteus  neoboracensis . New  York  Stickleback.  (DeKay.) 


The  New  York  or  Three  SpinM  Stickleback,  is  closely 
allied  to  the  Gasterosteus  trachurus , or  Three  Spined  Stickle- 
back of  Europe.  Habits  and  character  of  this  species  similar 
to  the  biaculeatus. 

Specific  Character  : Length,  two  to  two  and  one-quarter 
inches ; eyes,  large ; general  color,  upper  part  of  the  body 
bluish  slate,  shading  into  silvery  white  on  the  sides,  and 
under  part  of  the  body ; dorsal,  with  three  acute  spines  ante- 
rior to  the  fin;  dorsal  fin,  even,  one  spinous  and  thirteen 
simple  rays  ; caudal  emarginate,  small,  thirteen  slender  rays ; 
anal,  with  one  curved  acute  anterior  spine,  and  twelve 
branched  rays,  fin  slightly  emarginate ; ventrals,  wanting, 
represented  by  two  long  acute  stiff  spines,  having  their  pos- 
terior edge  serrated ; pectorals,  small  and  feeble,  with  eleven 
rays.  The  above  figure  represents  the  adult  size. 


84 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


Gasterosteus  occidentals — TeN  or  Many  Spined  Stickle- 
backs.— (De  Kay.) 


This  species  differs  much  in  form  from  either  the  biaculeatus 
or  the  neoboracensis , the  body  being  more  elongated,  much 
more  slender,  and  tapering  towards  the  posterior  extremities 
very  greatly.  Their  habits  differ  too  from  those  species,  as 
this  one  can  be  kept  with  impunity  amongst  small  fish, 
agreeing  well  with  Them ; they  usually  ascend  higher  up  the 
fresh  water  streams  th£n  either  of  the  above  mentioned 
species. 

Specific  Character:  Length,  one  and  a half  to  two 
inches.  Body,  long  and  slender.  Upper  part  of  the  body, 
dark  brown,  variegated  by  dark  blotches.  Lower  part  of  the 
body,  silvery  white.  Lateral  line  slightly  curved,  very  fine 
but  distinct.  Pupils,  black  ; * irides,  bright  reddish  brown. 
Head  small,  elongated;  eyes,  prominent.  Dorsal  with  ten, 
sometimes  only  nine  small  acute  spines,  anterior  to  the  fin, 
these  spines  are  set  alternately  right  and  left.  Back,  with 
metallic  green  reflections.  Dorsal  fin,  one  stiff  spine  and 
seven  soft  branched  rays.  Caudal,  thirteen  branched  rays. 
Anal,  one  stiff  acute  spine  and  eight  branched  rays.  Ven- 
trals  wanting.  Ventral  spine,  acute.  Pectorals  well  devel- 
oped, eleven  branched  rays. 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


85 


Gasterosteus  quadracus.  Four  Spined  Stickleback.  (Mitchell.) 

This  is  the  smallest  of  the  four  species  herein  mentioned, 
and  ascends  the  fresh  water  streams  higher  than  any  of  the 
others ; they  are  excellently  well  adapted  to  the  Aquarium, 
in  fact  are  preferable  in  this  respect  to  either  of  the  other 
species.  They  seldom,  if  ever,  exceed  two  inches  and 
a quarter  in  length,  usually  averaging  about  an  inch  and  three-  * 
quarters. 

Specific  Character:  Body,  deeper  than  the  occidentalism 
but  equally  attenuated  at  the  base  of  the  caudal.  General 
color  varies  considerably  ; usually  they  are  olive  green,  mot- 
tled with  dusky  brown  on  the  upper  parts,  lower  parts  silvery. 
From  three  to  four  spines  on  the  dorsal,  (usually  four,)  ante- 
rior to  the  fin;  dorsal  fin,  one  spinous  and  twelve  articulated  rays. 
Caudal,  thirteen  slender  rays.  Anal,  with  one  recurved  acute 
spine  and  ten  soft  rays.  Y entrals  wanting.  V entral  spines  with 
their  upper  half  deep  red.  Pectorals,  small  and  feeble,  twelve 
slender  rays.  Dorsal  spines  set  alternate,  the  first  or  anterior 
one  in  a direct  line  over  the  ventral  spines.  Lateral  line 
extends  from  a point  parallel  with  the  eye,  then  slightly 
ascends,  then  descends  with  a considerable  curve,  again 
rising  towards  the  caudal,  thus  forming  a waved  line.  Below 
the  lateral  line  the  sides  of  thq  body  are  marked  with 
abbreviated  blackish  bands  formed  of  innumerable  minute 
black  dots. 


H 


86 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


Storer  describes  another  American  species  having  seven 
dorsal  spines,  which  frequents  the  fresh  waters  of  the  State 
of  Maine,  this  he  has  named  the  Gasterosteus  mainensis. 


Hydrargia  diaphana. — Transparent  Minnow. 


This  is  the  only  species  of  minnow  acceptable  to  the  Aqua- 
rium ; it  is  exclusively  a fresh  water  species,  frequenting  trout 
streams,  and  usually  found  in  company  with  the  Leuciscus 
cornutuSj  atronasus,  Pomotis  vulgaris,  appendix  and  other  fluvial 
fishes.  In  the  Aquarium  this  species  never  interferes  with 
their  companions,  unlike  the  salt  water  minnows,  presently 
to  be  noticed. 

Specific  Character  : Head  flattened  above,  body  elon- 
gated and  diaphanous.  General  color,  upper  part  of  the 
body,  greenish  olive,  under  parts,  nearly  white,  sides  with 
sixteen  vertical  bands,  inconspicuous;  opercles  tinged  with 
brilliant  metallic  blue  and  green.  Eyes,  large  and  prominent. 
Pupils,  black  ; irides,  silvery,  with  an  interior  golden  ring 
immediately  surrounding  the  pupils.  Dorsal  situated  poste- 
riorly, of  thirteen  rays.  * Caudal,  even,  eighteen  branched 
rays.  Anal,  small,  being  only  half  the  size  of  the  dorsal,  of 
twelve  branched  rays.  Ventrals,  slightly  developed,  pointed, 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


87 


of  six  rays.  Pectorals,  rounded,  eighteen  rays.  In  some 
localities  I have  found  this  species  more  or  less  sprinkled 
with  small  black  dots.  Length,  two  to.  three  inches. 

Two  other  species  of  Ilydrargia  are  described  by  Dr.  De 
Kay,  both  of  which  are  numerous  in  the  fresh  waters  of  the 
northern  part  of  the  State  offNew  York,  viz  : 

First,  the  Hydrargia  atricada  (De  Kay),  Champlain  Min- 
now, common  in  Lake  Champlain  and  its  tributaries. 

Second,  the  Hydrargia  multifasciata  (De  Kay),  Many  Barred 
Minnow ; inhabits  Saratoga  Lake,  etc.,  and  is  quite  numerous. 

These  species,  having  no  peculiarities  of  color  or  form  to 
recommend  them  to  us,  and  not  being  found  within  the  envi- 
rons of  New  York,  it  is  unnecessary  further  to  notice  them. 

The  salt  water  minnows  are  included  under  Genus  Fundulus , 
but  none  of  them  can  be  kept  with  other  fish,  as  they  con- 
stantly annoy  them.  They  will,  however,  live  very  well  in 
fresh  water,  as  they  naturally  frequent  brackish  and  even 
pure  waters.  The  species  found  in  our  Bay  and  inlets  are : 

First,  the  Fundulus  viridescens , or  Big  Killifish. 

Second,  the  Fundulus  zebra , or  Barred  Killifish. 

Third,  the  Fundidus  fasciatus , or  Striped  Killifish. 

Many  other  species  of  fluvial  fishes  are  found  in  various 
localities  of  the  Union  suited  to  the  Aquarium,  but  the  forty- 
four  species  figured  and  described  in  this  chapter  embrace  all 
those  found  within  a circuit  of  twenty-five  or  thirty  miles  of 
the  City  of  New  York.  This  number  affords  ample  variety 
for  all  our  purposes,  and  includes  many  that  are  but  little 
known  to  the  general  public.  Amongst  those  enumerated 
are  a few  that  cannot  be  obtained  within  the  limits  pre- 
scribed above,  such  as  the  Uranidea  quiescens Little  Star 
Gazer  (page  69),  and  the  Lepisosteus  bison , Buffalo  Bony  Pike 


88  THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 

4 

or  Alligator  Gar  (page  37).  These  extra  species  are  intro- 
duced for  their  peculiar  character  of  structure  or  prepos- 
sessing appearance. 

With  this  brief  explanatory  remark  we  close  the  outline  of 
the  fluvial  fishes  adapted  to  the  Aquarium. 

The  following  is  a synopsis  of  the  various  authenticated 
species  of  fluvial  fishes  native  in  the  United  States,  east  of 
the  Mississippi  River.  Many  of  these  are  suited  to  the 
Aquarium,  but  not  being  found  within  our  limits  have  not 
been  introduced  in  the  preceding  chapter. 

Order  First 

SPINE  RAYED  FISH. 

FAMILY  PERCIDiE. 

Genus  Perea . — Percil 

Of  this  Genus  I have  introduced  two  species  for  the  Aqua- 
rium, on  pages  39  and  41,  the  remaining  American  species 
are,  viz : 

Perea  Granulata , {Cuvier.)  Rough  Headed  Yellow  Perch. 
Cuvier  says  he  received  it  from  the  State  of  New 
York,  particular  locality  not  given. 

Perea  acuta,  {Cuvier.)  Sharp  Nosed  Yellow  Perch.  Lake 
Ontario. 

Perea  gracilis , {Cuvier.)  Slender  Yellow  Perch.  Skeneatelas 
Lake,  New  York.  This  is  a small  species  and  would 
be  an  acquisition  to  the  Aquarium. 

Perea  nebulosa , {Haldeman.)  This  is  a very  small  species, 
described  by  the  author  as  only  two  inches  in  length, 
discovered  in  the  Susquehanna. 

Perea  minima , {Haldeman.)  The  same  remarks  are  applicable 
to  this  species. 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


89 


Genus  Labrax. — Bass. 

Of  the  native  Bass,  found  in  fresh  water,  I have  introduced 
two  species  appropriate  to  the  fluvial  Aquarium ; see  pages  42 
and  48.  The  other  American  fresh  water  Bass  are  as  follows : 
Labrax  albidus , ( De  Iiay.)  White  Lake  Bass.  Lake  Erie. 
Labrax  notatus , ( Richardson .)  Ten  Spotted  Bass.  St.  Law- 
rence River. 

Labrax  multilineatus , {Cuvier.)  Many  Striped  Bass.  Wabash 
River,  Indiana. 

Genus  Aphredoderus. — Spineless  Perch. 

But  one  American  species  is  included  in  this  Genus,  this 
is  the  one  described  on  page  44. 

, Genus  Huro. 

Of  this  Genus  but  one  species  is  known,  the 
Huron  nigricans , {Cuvier.)  The  Black  Huron.  Lake  Huron. 

Genus  Boleosoma. 

Of  this  Genus  one  species  is  described  on  page  67. 

Genus  Leucioperca. — Pike  Perch. 

Leucioperca  americana , ( Cuvier ,)  Yellow  Pike  Perch  or  Pike, 
found  in  the  lakes  of  the  interior  part  of  New  York. 
Leucioperca  grisea , (. DeKay ),  Gray  Pike  Perch  ; same  localities. 
Leucioperca  canadensis , {Griffith's  Cuvier) , Canada  Pike  Perch  ; 
River  St.  Lawrence. 

Genus  Centrcfrchus. 

Of  the  Centrarclius , one  species  is  quoted  for  the  Aquarium. 
Two  other  species  of  this  Genus  are  found  in  the  Northern 


90  THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 

part  of  the  State ; the  rest  of  the  American  species  are  con- 
fined to  the  Southern  and  Western  States.  Our  species 
quoted  is  the  : 

Centrarchus  ceneus,  Common  Fresh  Water  Bass.  Page  45. 

The  other  New  York  species  are  the  : 

Centrarchus  fasciatus , Black  Fresh  Water  Bass  5 lakes  of 
Western  New  York. 

Centrarchus  obscurus , { JDe  Kay.)  Obscure  Fresh  Water  Bass; 
Onondaga  Lake. 

The  Southern  and  Western  species*are  as  follows  : 

Centrarchus  pentacanthus , {Cuvier.)  Wabash  River,  Indiana. 
Centrarchus  hexacanthus , {Cuvier.)  Wabash  River,  Indiana. 
Centrarchus  sparvides , {Cuvier.)  South  Carolina. 

Centrarchus  irideus , {Cuvier.)  South  Carolina.  ^ 

Centrarchus  gulosus , {Cuvier.)  South  Carolina  and  Mississippi. 
Centrarchus  virides , {Cuvier.)  Carolinas. 

Genus  Pomotis.  — Pond  Fish. 

Of  the  Pomotis,  three  species  are  figured  in  the  foregoing 
pages  ; the  rest  of  the  American  species  are  all  found  farther 
south. 

Pomotis  ravaneli , {Cuvier.)  South  Carolina. 

Pomotis  holbroolci,  {Cuvier.)  South  Carolina 
Pomotis  incisor , {Cuvier.)  New  Orleans. 

Pomotis  gibbosus,  {Cuvier.)  Charleston,  S.  C. 

Pomotis  solis , {Cuvier.)  New  Orleans  and  New  Jersey. 

Pomotis  catesbei,  {Cuvier.)  ^Philadelphia. 

These  species  are  all  undoubtedly  adapted  to  the  Aquarium. 
Closely  allied  to  the  Pomotis  are  the  Bryttus. 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


91 


Genus  Bryttus. 

Three  species  of  this  Genus  are  described ; none  of  them 
extend  North  of  Pennsylvania,  however. 

Bryttus  punctatus , {Cuvier.)  South  Carolina. 

Bryttus  reticulatus , {Cuvier.)  South  Carolina, 

Bryttus  unicolor  {Cuvier.)  Pennsylvania  to  South  Carolina. 

FAMILY  TRIGLID^E. 

That  peculiar  fish,  the  Uranidea  quiescens , on  page  69,  be- 
longs to  this  family,  so  also  do  the  Gasterosteus- Sticklebacks. 

Genus  Gasterosteus. 

I have  introduced  four  of  this  Genus,  on  pages  81  to  85, 
inclusive ; the  extra  limital  species  are  the 
Gasterosteus  concinnus , {Richardson.)  Nothern  Regions. 
Gasterosteus  mainensis , {Storer.)  State  of  Maine. 

Gasterosteus  niger , {Cuvier.)  Newfoundland. 

FAMILY  SCIENIDjE. 

Genus  Corvina . 

Of  the  Corvina  none  are  found  in  our  vicinity,  the  following 
are  the  American  species : 

Corvina  oscula , {Leseur.)  Lake  Sheepshead.  Lake  Erie  and 
Ontario. 

Corvina  richardsonii , {Cuvier.)  The  Malasheganay.  Great 
Northern  Lakes. 

Corvina  grisea , {Leseur.)  White  Perch  of  Ohio.  Ohio 
River. 

All  the  preceding  species  belong  to  the  Spine  Rayed 
Fishes. 


92 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


Order  Second . Abdominal. 

SOFT  RAYED  FISH. 

This  order  of  fishes  have  the  ventrals  placed  behind  the 
pectorals  and  not  attached  to  the  humeral  bone. 

FAMILY  SILURIDiE. 

Genus  Pimelodus. — Cat  Fish. 

This  is  a very  numerous  Genus  of  Fishes,  embracing  a 
large  number  of  species,  all  but  four,  however,  are  confined 
to  the  Southern  and  Western  States.  Of  the  four  exceptional 
ones,  three  are  found  within  our  vicinity  and  are  described  in 
these  pages.  See  pages  75,  76  and  77. 

The  following  are  the  extra  limital  species. 

Pimelodus  nigricans.  Great  Lake  Cat  Fish.  Lake  Ontario,  etc. 
Pimelodus  ccenosus , ( Richardson .)  Lake  Huron. 

Pimelodus  albidus , ( Leseur .)  Delaware  River. 

Pimelodus  Lemniscatus , (Leseur.)  Southern  States. 

Pimelodus  furcatus , (Leseur.)  Fork  Tailed  Cat  Fish.  Ohio 
River. 

Pimelodus  punctidatus , (Leseur.)  Louisiana. 

Pimelodus  ceneus , (Leseur.)  Ohio  River. 

Kirtland  describes  the  following  additional  species  as 
natives  of  the  Ohio  River. 

Pimelodus  cerulescens.  Blue  Cat  Fish. 

Pimelodus  cupreous.  Yellow  Cat  Fish. 

Pimelodus  pallidus.  Channel  Cat  Fish. 

Pimelodus  nebulosus.  Mud  Cat  Fish. 

Pimelodus  zanthocephalus.  Small  Black  Bull  Head. 

Pimelodus  flavus.  Young  Cat  Fish. 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


93 


It  is  probable  some  of  the  above  will  yet  prove  to  be  only 
varieties  of  well  defined  species. 

Amongst  the  native  fishes,  none  are  more  peculiar  than  the 
species  known  to  inhabit  the  little  river  Styx,  which  flows 
through  the  interior  of  that  subterranean  wonder,  the  Mam- 
moth Cave,  in  Kentucky.  The  peculiarity  in  this  species  is 
the  fact  of  its  obscure  location,  being  local  to  the  cave,  not 
found  elsewhere.  The  other  peculiarity  is  the  fact  of 
their  being  blind.  Dr.  DeKay,  who  first  described  this  spe- 
cies, confessed  himself  at  a loss  where  to  place  it,  and  insti- 
tuted a new  Genus  under  the . name  of  Amblyopsis , and 
included  it  among  the  Siluridae,  for  want  of  a better  place. 

Genus  Amblyopsis. — {DeKay.) 

Amblyopsis  speleus. — Blind  Fish  of  Kentucky. — {DeKay.) 

The  fact  of  its  being  blind,  was  for  a long  time  doubted, 
but  subsequent  investigation  has  substantiated  it  as  a fact. 
This  is  the  only  instance  of  the  kind  known  in  Ichthyology. 

FAMILY  CYPRINIDiE. 

To  this  Family  we  are  indebted  for  the  chief  variety  for 
our  Aquariums,  all  of  the  species  being  more  or  less 
suited  to  it. 

Genus  Cyprinus. 

Cyprinus  carpio , Common  Carp.  This  species  was  intro- 
duced from  Europe  in  1831,  by  Henry  Robinson,  Esq.,  of 
Newburg,  N.  Y.  It  is  now  a common  fish  in  the  Hudson. 

The  well  known  and  universally  admired  Gold  Fish,  or 
Golden  Carp  (page  31)  belongs  to  this  Genus.  The  next  in 
order  are  the  Labeo , Chubsucker. 


94 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


Genus  Labeo. 

Three  species  of  this  Genus  (pages  72,  73  and  74)  are 
introduced  in  this  chapter  as  appropriate  for  the  tank ; the 
other  extra  limital  species  are  the  : 

Labeo  Cyprinus , ( Leseur .)  Long  Finned  Chubsucker.  Susque- 
hanna, Pa. 

Labeo  esopus , ( DeKay .)  Round  Backed  Chubsucker.  North- 
ern and  Western  part  of  New  York. 

The  Chubsuckers  are  all  very  brilliant  colored  fishes,  none 
exceeding  them  in  beauty.  Next  are  the  Catastomus , or 
Suckers ; of  this  Genus  two  species  are  mentioned  for  the 
Aquarium  (pages  70' and  71.) 

Genus  Catastomus.  — Sucker. 

Catastomus  communis , {Leseur.)  Common  Sucker,  very  generally 
distributed. 

Catastomus  oneida , {De  Kay.)  Oneida  Sucker,  Oneida  Lake,  N.  Y. 
Catastomus  aureolus , {Leseur.)  Mullet  Sucker.  Lake  Erie. 
Catastomus  nigricans , {Leseur.)  Black  Sucker.  Lake  Erie. 
Catastomus  macrolepidotus , {Leseur.)  Large  Scaled  Sucker. 
Delaware  River. 

Catastomus  longirostris , {Leseur.)  Long  Nosed  Sucker.  V ermont. 
Catastomus  maculosus , {Leseur.)  Spotted  Sucker.  Maryland. 
Catastomus  elongatus , {Leseur.)  Missouri  Sucker  or  Black  Horse. 
Ohio  River. 

Catastomus  vittatus , {Leseur.)  Striped  Sucker.  Philadelphia. 
Catastomus  duquesnii , {Leseur.)  White  Sucker.  Ohio  River. 
Catastomus  sucellata , {Lacepede.)  South  Carolina. 

Catastomus  maxilingua,  {Leseur.)  Little  Sucker.  Delaware. 

Of  these  the  vittatus  and  maxilingua  are  best  suited  for  the 
Aquaria,  the  former  being  only  two  inches  in  length,  the 
latter  four  inches. 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  TIIE  AQUARIUM. 


95 


Genus  Leuciscus. — Dace. 

*Of  the  Leuciscus , seven  species  are  introduced,  as  found  in 
our  vicinity,  all  suited  to  the  Aquarium;  pages  54  to  62, 
inclusive ; the  extra  limital  species  are  the  following : 

Leuciscus  pulchellus,  (Storer.)  Beautiful  Leuciscus,  Roach  Dace 
or  Couzin  Trout,  habitat,  the  Eastern  States. 
Leuciscus  argenteus , (Storer.)  Silvery  Dace.  Massachusetts. 
Leuciscus  corporalis , (Mitchell.)  The  Corporaleon.  Upper  part 
of  the  Hudson  and  it  tributaries. 

Leuciscus  elongatus , (Kirtland.)  Tributaries  of  Lake  Erie ; this 
is  a very  beautiful  species,  very  desirable  for  the 
tank. 

Leuciscus  dissimilis , (Kirtland.)  Same  locality. 

Leuciscus  biguttatus , (Kirtland.)  Ohio  River. 

Leuciscus  cephalus , (Kirtland.)  Big  Headed  Chub.  Ohio. 

Closely  allied  to  the  Leuciscus  is  the  Bream,  belonging  to 
Genus  Abramis.  See  page  64. 

Next  to  this  is  the  Genus  Stilbe , one  species  of  which  is 
described  on  page  65. 

Genus  Lebias, 

This  Genus  embraces  only  two  species,  both  of  which  are 
very  diminuitive  and  acceptable  to  the  Aquarium;  one  of 
these  is  described  on  page  68 ; the  extra  limital  species  is  the 
Lebias  ellipsoides , (Leseur.)  Habitat  Florida. 

Next  follow  the  Fresh  Water  Minnows  forming 

Genus  Hydrargira . 

* 

One  species  of  Hydrargira  is  described  in  this  work 
on  page  86  ; the  extra  limital  species  are : 


96 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


Hydrargirci  atricada , ( DeKay .)  Champlain  Minnow.  Lake 
Champlain.  • 

Hydrargira  ornata , ( Leseur .)  Ornamented  Minnow.  Dela- 
ware River. 

Hydrargira  nigrofasciata , {Leseur.)  Black  Striped  Minnow. 
Rhode  Island. 

Hydrargira  multifasciata,  {DeKay.)  Many  Barred  Minnow. 
Saratoga  Lake. 

Closely  allied  to  the  Hydrargira  is  the 
Genus  Molinesia. 

Molinesia  latipennis , (Leseur.)  Ponds  in  Louisiana. 

FAMILY  ESOCHLE. 

Genus  Esox. 

This  Genus  embraces  the  Pickerel  and  Pike,  two  of  the 
former  being  described  on  pages  35  and  36.  The  extra 
limital  species  are  the  : 

Esox  estor , (Leseur.)  The  Muskellonge  or  Pike,  Lakes  of 
Northern  and  Western  New  York. 

Esox  tredecem  radiatus , (Mitchell.)  The  Federation  Pike,  Lakes 
of  Northern  and  Western  New  York,  called  the 
Tredecum  radiatus , or  Federation  Pike,  from  the 
fact  that  four  out  of  the  five  fins  have  thirteen  rays 
in  each,  the  original  number  of  the  federal  compact 
of  States. 

Esox  phaleratus , (Say.)  East  Florida. 

* Genus  Pimeoma . — Pickering. 

We  have  but  one  species  of  this  Genus,  described  on 
page  38. 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


97 


FAMILY  SALMONIDiE. 

Genus  Salmo. 

This  Genus  comprises  the  Trouh  and  Salmon,  and  the 
species  are  most  numerous  in  cold  latitudes ; British  North 
America  is  particularly  rich  in  this  class  of  fishes.  One 
species,  the  well  known  and  highly  esteemed  Brook  Trout, 
Salmo  fontanalis , is  figured  on  page  34  of  this  work.  The 
extra  limital  species  are  the  : 

Salmo  erytlirogaster , (De  Kay.)  Red  Bellied  Trout.  Lakes  of 
Northern  and  Western  New  York,  etc. 

Salmo  confinis , (De  Kay.)  Same  habitat  as  the  preceding. 
Salmo  ameihystus , (Mitchell.)  Mackinaw  Salmon.  Great  North- 
ern Lakes. 

Salmo  salar , (Linn.)  Common  Sea  Salmon.  River  St.  Law- 
rence. 

Salmo  Canadensis,  (Griffith's  Cuvier.)  Canada  Salmon.  River 
St.  Lawrence. 

Genus  Baione . 

This  Genus  embraces  but  one  species,  a beautiful  and 
diminutive  fish  closely  allied  to  the  Trout ; see  page  66. 
Genus  Coregonus. 

The  species  of  this  Genus  are  all  large,  and  frequent  the 
waters  of  the  more  northern  sections  of  the  United  States, 
the  following  are  the  species : 

Coregonus  albus , (Leseur.)  White  Fish.  Great  Upper  Lakes. 
Coregonus  clupeiformis , (Mitchell.)  Common  Shad  Salmon. 
Same  localities. 

Coregonus  otsego , (Dewitt  Clinton.)  Otsego  Salmon.  Otsego 
Lake. 

Coregonus  harengus , (Richardson.)  Lake  Huron. 

i 


98 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


Family  Clupidje. — Genus  Amia . 

Amici  occidentalism  (De  Kay.)  Western  Mud  Fish. 

Amia  calvci.  Dog  Fisher  Lake  Lawyer.  Lake  Erie. 

Family  Saurid^e. — Genus  Lepisosteus. 

This  is  a peculiar  Genus  of  Fishes,  the  one  found  within 
the  limits  of  our  State,  is  introduced  in  these  pages,  (see 
page  37,)  the  extra  limital  species  are  as  follows : 

Lepisosteus  platyrhincus , ( DeKay .)  Flat  Nosed  Bony  Pike. 
Florida. 

Lepisosteus  longirostris,  (Cuvier.)  Lake  Huron. 

Order  Fourth. — Apodal  Fish. 

FISH  WITHOUT  VENTRAL  FINS. 

Family  Anguillid2e. — Genus  Anguilla. 

The  common  Anguilla  tenuirostris  is  described  on  page  78; 
the  extra  limital  species  are  the 

Anguilla  rostrata,  (Leseur.)  Beaked  Eel.  Cayuga  and  Geneva 
* Lakes,  New  York. 

Anguilla  macrocephala , (Leseur.)  Bull  Head  Eel.  Saratoga  lake. 
Sub-Class  second.— CARTILAGINOUS  FISHES. 
Order  Third. — cyclostomi. 

Family  Petromyzonid,e. — Genus  Petromyzon. 

Of  the  Petromyzon  one  species  is  described  on  page  79,  the 
extra  limital  species  is  the 

Petromyzon  argenteus , (Kirtland.)  Habitat  the  Big  Miami 
River,  State  of  Ohio. 

Genus  Ammoccetus. 

Of  the  Ammoccetus , one  species  is  described  on  page  78,  the 
extra  limital  species  is  the 

Ammoccetus  bicolor , (Leseur.)  Colored  Mud  Lamprey.  Con- 
necticut River. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


THE  ANIMAT.  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 

THE  AMPHIBIANS. 

The  Amphibians  suited  to  the  Aquarium. 

The  Amphibious  animals  are  those  that  live  part  of  the 
time  in  water  and  a part  of  the  time  on  land,  being  sub-aquatic. 
The  species  suited  to  the  Fluvial  Aquarium  are  quite  limited 
in  number.  Of  these  I propose  to  introduce  all  the  species 
found  within  the  neighborhood  of  the  City  and  County  of 
New  York. 

The  first  of  these  claiming  our  attention  are  the  Water 
Turtles?  comprising  but  two  species  suitable  to  our  subject. 


Chrysemys  picta. — Painted  Water  Turtle. 

The  family  to  which  this  and  the  following  species  belongs 
and  their  congenors,  the  marine  turtles,  and  land  turtles,  have 
been  very  elaborately  described  by  Prof.  Agassiz,  who  has 
devoted  three  quarto  volumes  to  their  history,  dwelling  very 
minutely  upon  their  nidification. 


100  THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 

The  Painted  Water  Turtle  has  a wide  geographical  range, 
being  generally  found  throughout  the  Atlantic  States,  and 
has  always  been  prized  as  a desirable  curiosity  for  the  tank. 
They  live  well  in  confinement,  requiring  however  to  be  regu- 
larly fed.  For  the  Aquarium,  the  smaller  they  are  the  better  ; 
the  accompanying  figure  represents  its  size  when  nearly  two 
years  old.  If  used  larger  than  this  they  annoy  the  fish. 
They  shed  their  shell  periodically,  and  in  their  native  waters 
lie  deeply  buried  in  the  mud  during  the  winter  months. 
During  warm  sunny  days  they  may  be  seen  resting  upon  an 
old  log  or  stump  of  a tree,  basking  in  the  rays  of  the  sun. 
Their  sense  of  hearing  and  seeing  are  very  acute  and  they  must 
be  approached  with  caution  to  insure  capture.  When  dis- 
turbed from  their  resting  place,  they  quickly  slip  into  the 
water,  in  that  case  it  is  futile  to  attempt  their  capture. 
When  in  confinement,  they  eat  lean  beef  with  avidity,  they 
are  likewise  fond  of  the  common  house  fly. 

Specific  Character  : Upper  shell,  highly  convex,  ellip- 

tical, divided  into  thirteen  central  plates  and  twenty-five 
marginal  plates.  Lower  shell  also  elliptical,  slightly  convex, 
narrower  than  the  upper,  protruding  in  front  a little  beyond 
the  upper  shell.  This  under  shell  is  divided  longitudinally 
into  two  divisions,  each  division  sub-divided  into  six  plates, 
the  centre  two  being  the  largest,  and  the  two  anterior  ones 
smallest;  the  two  centre  plates  on  each  side  extended  on 
their  outer  margins  and  uniting  with  the  upper  shell.  Head 
and  neck,  deep  black,  distinctly  marked  with  bright  red  and 
saffron  yellow  stripes.  Cheeks  striped  with  bright  red,  and 
having  four  yellow  irregular  blotches  on  the  upper  part  of 
the  same.  Eyes,  small  but  keen ; pupils,  black ; irides,  yellow, 
with  four  black  spots  on  their  disc.  Throat  conspicuously 


* 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM.  101 

striped  with  yellow.  Nostrils,  small,  rounded.  Front  of  the 
head  protruding  to  an  obtuse  point.  Head  and  neck,  as  in 
all  the  family,  capable  of  being  drawn  completely  in,  and 
concealed  by  the  elastic  skin  of  the  folds  of  the  cover  ; this 
neck  covering  beautifully  striped  with  bright  red.  Legs  and 
feet  covered  with  small  tough  scales,  handsomely  variegated 
with  black  and  bright  red.  Upper  shell  deep  brownish 
black,  sometimes  tinged  with  dark  olive  brown ; in  some, 
nearly  black ; divisions  of  the  upper  plates  of  the  same  broadly 
margined  with  dull  yellowish  brown.  The  twenty-five  mar-' 
ginal  plates  of  the  upper  shell,  ornamented  with  red  in  their 
centres ; under  edge  of  these  plates  extending  to  the  body  of 
the  animal,  bright  red,  marked  with  black.  Lower  shell, 
orange  brown,  each  plate  with  a grooved  line  on  its  inner 
surface,  parallel  with  the  margin  of  the  same.  Feet  furnished 
with  five  toes,  having  long  sharp  curved  claws  or  nails. 
Feet  striped  with  red  to  the  base  of  the  claws.  Claws,  black 
at  their  base,  whitish  at  their  tips.  Plates  of  the  upper  shell 
with  a series  of  lines  running  parallel  with  the  sections  of  the 
same.  A narrow  stripe  of  yellowish  brown  extends  longitu- 
dinally down  the  centre  of  the  upper  shell.  Tail  small, 
pointed,  compressed  toward^  the  extremity,  black,  striped 
with  red  and  yellow,  laterally. 


i* 


102 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


Emys  punctata.—  Spotted  Water  Turtle. — (Schneid.) 


This  is  also  a handsome  species,  and  the  same  general 
remarks  are  applicable  to  it  as  regards  its  habits,  as  were 
made  in  the  case  of  the  “picta”  with  this  addition — the 
punctata  passes  more  of  its  time  on  dry  land  during  the  sum- 
mer, often  crossing  large  fields  in  quest  of  food  which 
consists  of  various  insects,  ** 

Specific  Character  : Upper  shell  highly  con  vexed,  ellip- 
tical, and  hollowed  in  at  its  anterior  end.  The  upper  shell 
consists  of  thirteen  plates  on  its  rounded  surface,  the  four 
centre  ones  sextagonal ; and  twenty-four  small  marginal 
plates  surrounding  the  others.  Under  shell  divided  into 
twelve  plates  by  a longitudinal  line  along  the  centre  of  the 
shell.  Head  flattened  above  as  in  the  picta  ; broadest  at  the 
eyes.  Nose,  obtuse ; nostrils,  small  and  rounded.  Pupils, 
black ; irides,  hazel  brown.  Upper  part  of  the  head,  black, 
unspotted  5 neck,  black,  spotted  with  bright  yellow ; throat, 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM.  103 

blackish  brown  ; elastic  skin  of  the  neck,  black.  Legs  and 
feet,  black,  scaly,  thickly  spotted  with  orange ; feet  scaled  to 
the  base  of  the  claws ; claws,  acute,  curved  and  black. 
Upper  shell,  deep  blackish  brown,  thickly  spotted  with 
yellow  dots,  varying  in  number  in  different  individual  spe- 
cimens ; in  some  very  few  in  number,  in  others  completely 
sprinkled ; about  twelve  on  the  largest  plates  being  the  max- 
imum. Lower  shell  varies  in  color,  in  some  almost  entirely 
black,  whilst  in  others  the  rufous  brown  predominates.  Tail, 
pointed,  scaly,  black  spotted  with  yellow ; under  the  base  of 
the  same,  orange  red.  Upper  and  lower  shell  chiefly  con- 
nected by  the  centre  plate  on  each  side. 

As  in  the  picta,  they  make  a peculiar  hissing  noise 
when  handled. 

The  next  family  of  Amphibians  claiming  our  attention  are 
the  Tritons ; of  these  only  one  species  is  really  adapted  to  the 
Aquarium,  although  the  other  species  can  be  reared  in  the 
tank  if  plenty  of  resting  space  be  furnished  them  above  the 
surface  of  the  water.  The  same  is  also  applicable  in  regard 
to  the  Salamanders,  hereafter  to  be  mentioned. 


Triton  millepunctatus. — Many  Spotted  Triton  or  Newt. 


The  many  spotted  Triton  or  Newt,  commonly  but  erro- 
neously called  Lizard,  is  an  exceedingly  numerous  species, 
generally  distributed  throughout  the  country.  They  are 


104 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


most  numerous  in  small  ponds,  and  few  stagnant  waters  are 
without  them.  During  the  winter  months  they  hybernate, 
burying  themselves  deep  in  the  mud.  Their  eccentric 
motions  render  them  an  interesting  feature  of  the  Aquarium ; 
they  require  introduced  food,  worms  or  beef  answer  well ; if 
not  fed  they  annoy  the  fish  contained  in  the  tank. 

Specific  Character  : Head,  flattened  above ; body,  elon- 

gated, rounded ; dorsal  ridge,  sharp.  Eyes,  small  but 
prominent.  Nose,  obtusely  pointed  ; nostrils,  small,  rounded, 
distant.  Legs  and  feet  compressed ; toes,  five,  centre  ones 
longest;  toes  without  claws  or  nails.  Tail  greatly  com- 
pressed, fully  as  long  as  the  body,  upper  margin  of  the  same 
more  or  less  undulated. 

General  color : whole  upper  part  of  the  body  and  sides, 
olive  green,  varying  in  shades  of  color  in  individual  speci- 
mens; in  some  reddish  brown,  in  others  yellowish  brown. 
Whole  under  side  and  flanks,  yellow,  thickly  spotted  with 
black  dots.  Upper  part  of  the  body  and  sides  also  sprinkled 
with  black  dots,  and  having  a row  or  series  of  crimson  spots 
encircled  with  black  on  their  sides.  Division  of  the  color  of 
the  sides  and  the  light  yellow  of  the  under  parts  abrupt,  not 
being  blended.  Pupil  of  the  eyes,  black  brown,  tinged  with 
orange  red.  Tail  same  color  as  the  upper  parts  and  thickly 
sprinkled  with  black  dots.  Legs  and  feet,  yellowish  brown, 
sprinkled  with  black  dots  to  the  extremity  of  the  toes. 

The  next  species  of  Triton  to  be  introduced  to  your 
notice,  as  I before  remarked,  are  not  so  aquatic  in  their  habits 
as  the  millepunctatus , yet  they  can  be  kept  in  the  tank,  if 
necessary  resting  places  are  provided  for  them. 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


105 


Triton  tigrinus. — Tiger  Triton. — {Green.) 

This  is  a very  beautiful  species,  comparatively  rare. 
Length,  six  to  seven  inches.  Body,  elongated,  rounded. 
Tail  compressed  from  its  base  to  the  tip.  General  color, 
lustrous  bluish  black,  beautifully  marked  with  large,  conspic- 
uous irregular  spots  of  yellowish,  over  the  whole  animal. 


Triton  niger. — Black  or  Dusky  Triton. — {Green.) 


This  species  can  be  kept  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
tigrinus;  they  should  all  be  regularly  fed. 

Specific  Character:  Length,  five  to  six  inches.  Body, 
elongated,  rounded,  tail  as  long  as  the  body,  compressed. 
General  color,  upper  part  of  the  body  and  sides,  uniform  dark 
brown  or  black,  under  part  of  the  body,  lighter.  Sides,  with 
inconspicuous  small  white  spots.  Toes,  unusually  long. 


106 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  TIIE  AQUARIUM. 


Closely  allied  to  the  Tritons  are  the  Salamanders 5 these  ani- 
mals are  much  more  terrestial  than  aquatic,  yet  they  may  be 
kept  in  the  same  manner,  as  alluded  to  in  the  case  of  the 
Triton  tigrinis  or  Triton  niger.  % * 


Salamandra  rubra. — Red  Salamander. 


* 

This  is  a beautiful  species.  Specific  character:  general 
color,  red,  spotted  over  with  roundish  spots,  most  numerous 
on  the  head.  Length  four  to  five  inches. 

The  Salamanders  not  being  so  aquatic  as  the  Tritons,  I 
have  introduced  but  one  species.  The  whole  of  the  Amer- 
ican species  will  be  found  in  the  annexed  list ; this  is  furnished 
because  some  persons  might  be  desirous  of  keeping  these 
singular  creatures,  if  so  they  must  bear  in  mind  that  they  can 
hardly  be  considered  sub-aquatic ; they  will  however  live  for 
a short  period  immersed  in  water. 

Salamandra  symmetrica.  Symmetrical  Salamander.  Found  in 
the  vicinity  of  New  York  and  all  the  Atlantic  States 
Salamandra  erythronata.  Red  Backed  Salamander,  common 
in  numerous  localities  in  New  Jersey. 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


107 


Salamanclra  picta,  (Harlem.)  Painted  Salamander.  Massachu- 
setts to  Pennsylvania. 

Salamandra  subviolacea , (Barton.)  Violet  colored  Salamander. 

Found  from  Maine  to  Maryland. 

Salamandra  cirrigera , (Holbrook.)  Louisiana. 

Salamandra  sinciput  albida , (Green.)  New  Jersey. 

Salamandra  gutta  lineata , (Holbrook.)  Carolina. 

Salamandra  auriculata , (Holbrook.)  Georgia. 

Salamandra  talpoidea , (Holbrook.)  South>  Carolina. 

Salamandra  quadrimaculata , (Holbrook.)  Four  Spotted  Sala- 
mander. Pennsylvania  to  Georgia. 

Salamandra  haldemani , (Holbrook.)  Pennsylvania  to  Virginia, 
Salamandra  glutinosa , (Green.)  Blue  Spotted  Salamander. 

Found  from  Massachusetts  to  Pennsylvania. 
Salamandra  coccinea.  Scarlet' Salamander. 

Salamandra  bilineata , (Holbrook.)  Striped  Backed  Salamander. 

New  York,  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania. 

Salamandra  granulata , * (Holbrook.)  Granulated  Salamander. 

Pennsylvania. 

Salamandra  longicauda , (Green.)  Long  Tailed  Salamander. 

New  York,  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio. 

Salamandra  fasciata , (Green.)  Blotched  Salamander.  Massa- 
* chusetts  to  Ohio. 

Salamandra  salmonea,(  Holbrook.)  Salmon  Colored  Salaman- 
der. Massachusetts,  New  York  and  Vermont. 
The  extra  limital  Tritons  are  the  following : — 

Tritons  porphyriticus , ( Green. ) Gray  Spotted  Triton.  Southern 
States. 

Triton  ingens , (Green.)  New  Orleans. 

Triton  Jeffersoni , (Green.)  Jefferson’s  Triton.  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania. 


108 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


Having  reviewed  the  Water  Turtles,  Tritons  and  Salaman- 
ders, the  next  claiming  our  notice,  is  the  Astacus  Bartoni , or 
American  Cray  fish. 


This  species  is  introduced  in  this  place,  because  it  is  of 
amphibious  habits.  It  is  closely  allied  to  the  British  Astacus 
fluviatilis , only  the  fluviatilis  attains  a much  larger  size,  and  is 
highly  esteemed  by  epicures.  Our  Cray  Fish  inhabits  clear 
running  brooks,  such  as  Trout  frequent.  They  burrow  in 
holes  or  hide  under  rocks  and  stones,  and  to  a considerable 
extent  %re  nocturnal  in  their  habits.  At  night  they  often 
emerge  from  their  hiding  places  and  crawl  from  one  stream 
to  another  in  search  of  food.  If  kept  in  the  tank,  they 
require,  like  all  .the  amphibious  creatures,  a resting  place 


Genus  Astacus. — Cray  Fish. 


Astacus  Bartoni. — American  Cray  Fish. 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


109 


above  the  surface  of  the  water  ; they  will  live  for  a consider- 
able time  out  of  water ; I have  repeatedly  kept  them  in  this 
way  fdur  and  even  five  days  at  a time.  Like  their  con- 
genors  of  the  ocean,  (the  lobster,)  they  shed  their  shell 
periodically,  and  the  opportunity  afforded  of  observing  this 
curious  and  interesting  change  of  dress,  will  well  repay  any 
trouble  experienced  in  keeping  them  in  confinement. 

The  last  of  the  Amphibians  to  be  noticed  are  the  Tadpoles. 


These  are  extremely  numerous,  found  in  almost  every  pond 
throughout  the  country,  they  are  well  adapted  to  the  tank, 
are  lively  and  live  well.  No  tank  should  be  without  a few 
tadpoles ; their  transformation  to  the  frog  is  interesting  and 
worthy  of  attention.  All  frogs  in  their  tadpole  state  are 
strictly  aquatic,  but  in  their  mature  state  are  amphibious. 
Should  you  keep  your  tadpoles  until  they  assume  the  perfect 
form  of  the  frog,  your  tank  must  be  covered  with  net  work 
to  prevent  their  jumping  out,  and  a resting  place  above  the 
waters’  surface  provided,  as.  in  the  case  of  the  rest  of  the 
amphibians  heretofore  mentioned. 


110 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


Tadpole  of  the  Rana  fontanalis. — Spring  Frog. 


The  remarks  upon  the  pipiens  are  applicable  to  this  and  all 
the  other  species  of  the  Genera.  I have  deemed  these  two 
examples  sufficient  to  illustrate  the  American  species,  any 
of  which  are  worthy  of  a place  in  the  Aquarium  during 
their  Tadpole  stage. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


animal  life  of  the  aquaridm. — ( Continued .) 

THE  FLUVIAL  SHELLS  AND  INSECTS. 

Fluvial  Shells  and  Insects  adapted  to  the  Tank  — What  Insects  to  avoid. 

Of  the  Shells  the  TJnios  are  the  most  conspicuous  for  the 
tank,  they  are  extremely  hardy,  and  live  well  in  confinement. 
One  of  the  easiest  procured  in  our  locality  is  the  JJnio  Com - 
plcinatus , a figure  of  which  is  appended. 


Unio  complanatus . 


This  is  one  of  the  handsomest  marked  species,  found  in 
our  vicinity,  variegated  as  it  is  with  green,  and  rich  brown, 
and  beautifully  striated.  Our  fresh  waters  furnish  us  with  a 
large  number  of  Unios. 


112 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  TIIE  AQUARIUM. 


Of  the  smaller  shells  the  most  useful  are  the  Planorbis  and 
Pliysas.  Of  the  Planorbis  the  best  one  is  the  Planorbis 
trivolvis , shaped  somewhat  like  a cornucopia.  The  Planorbis , 
Physas  and  Limneas  act  as  scavengers  to  the  tank,  and  no 
Aquarium  should  be  without  them. 


Planorbis  trivolvis. 

This  is  an  exceeding  numerous  species  in  many  of  the 
ponds  in  our  vicinity.  General  color,  dark  brown  ; left  mar- 
gin of  the  lip  below  the  plane  of  the  transverse  diameter. 
Six  other  species  of  Planorbis  are  described  in  our  Fauna , 
two  of  the  best  of  these  six  for  the  tank  are  the  bicarinatus 
and  armigerus.  Of  the  Limneas  seventeen  species  are 
described  by  Dr.  DeKay  as  American,  all  of  which  could  be 
used  for  the  Aquarium.  Another  Genera  of  small  shells  are 
the  Cyclas ; of  these,  six  species  inhabit  our  State,  viz  : 

Cyclas  similis , dubia , parteumeia , rhomboidea , elegans  and 
edentata. 

Of  the  Physa  nine  species  are  described  from  our  State, 
These  are  excellent  for  the  Aquarium,  and  are  readily  pro- 
cured ; the  best  species  is  the  heterostrop  ha. 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  TIIE  AQUARIUM. 


113 


Physa  heterostropha . 

General  color,  greenish,  the  oldest  ones  being  darkest; 
when  young,  usually  tinged  with  yellow ; inside  of  the  lip 
reddish.  Whorls,  four.  Aperture  of  the  shell  nearly  oval. 
Very  common  in  sluggish  streams. 

The  insects  suited  to  the  Aquarium  are  but  few  in  number, 
amongst  the  multitude  of  Aquatic  Insect  life ; indeed,  great 
care  should  be  taken  as  to  the  species  placed  in  the  tank. 
Very  many  of  them  are  highly  destructive,  and  in  addition  to 
the  species  recommended  for  use,  I shall  point  out  those  to 
be  carefully  avoided.  One  of  the  best  of  the  Aquatic  Coleop- 
tera  for  the  Aquarium  is  the  Hydropholis  tri-ovalis 


Hydropholis  triangularis . 

* 

This  fine  insect  represented  as  above,  its  natural  size,  is 
perfectly  harmless  for  the  Aquarium.  The  body  is  highly 
concave,  and  its  color  very  dark  greenish  black,  under  part 

K* 


114 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


of  the  body  luminous.  The  family  in  fact  to  which  this 
species  belongs  furnishes  us  with  nearly  all  the  Coleoptera 
suited  to  the  Aquarium.  Although  often  met  with  they  are 
not  so  numerous  as  the  Dytiscus , the  most  rapacious  of  all  the 
Aquatic  Coleoptera. 

Another  fine  species  of  this  Genus,  is  the  Hydropholis 
ovalis , this  is  much  rarer  than  the  above,  and  equally  as 
desirable. 


This  is  one  of  the  rarest  of  the  Aquatic  Insects,  as  for  the 
tank,  it  is  one  of  the  best.  In  general  color,  it  resembles  the 
triangularis , but  it  varies  in  its  form.  Two  other  species  of 
Hydropholis  will  be  introduced  5 first,  the  glaber , 


This  is  a small  black  species,  with  no  great  peculiarity. 


Hydropholis  ovalis • 


Hydropholis  glaber . 


THE  ANIMAL  LIFE  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


115 


Hydropholis  lateralis. 

This  species  is  a little  larger  than  the  glaber. 

Be  sure  never  to  introduce  any  of  the  Dytiscidce  into  your 
tank,  they  are  carnivorous  and  very  voracious,  and  very 
destructive  to  small  fish.  Neither  would  I recommend  the 
Notanecta  or  Boat  Fly,  because  I know  they  injure  the  fish. 
Avoid  also  any  of  the  larvce  of  the  numerous  species  of  Libel - 
lulidce  or  Dragon  Flies. 

The  Gammarus  minus  .or  Fresh  Water  Shrimp  are  perfectly 
harmless  and  form  excellent  food  for  your  fish,  nearly  all 
species  devouring  them  greedily. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


THE  VEGETATION  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 

The  Vegetation  of  the  Aquarium — The  plants  best  adapted  to  the  same. 

This  is  most  important,  for  upon  its  character  rests  the 
health  of  your  finny  tribe  5 we  have  around  us  a large  variety 
of  excellent  aquatic  plants  suited  to  the  purpose,  that  liberate 
oxygen  freely,  thus  purifying  the  water.  Independent  of 
the  necessity  of  their  presence  in  the  Aquarium  for  their 
revivifying  powers,  they  are  essential  for  their  ornamental 
beauty  5 nothing  can  be  more  beautiful  than  a tank  in  gopd 
order,  well  supplied  with  animal  and  vegetable  life,  the 
varieties  of  color  displayed  in  the  vegetation  form  a picture 
worthy  of  admiration. 

In  selecting  plants  for  the  Aquarium,  care  should  be  taken 
that  they  are  perfectly  fresh,  and  that  the  roots  are  entire ; in 
some  of  the  Myriophyllums , small  fibrous  roots  proceed  from 
the  lower  portions  of  the  stem : it  is  from  this  fact  that  the 
small  sprig  of  Myriophyllum  will  grow  when  detached  from 
the  main  stem.  Even  this  plant,  however,  grows  stronger 
and  more  luxuriant  when  the  radical  roots  are  retained. 

I propose  briefly  to  review,  the  various  species  adapted  for 
the  Aquarium. 

First  of  all  we  have  the  beautiful  group  of  plants  known 


THE  VEGETATION  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


117 


to  botanists  as  the  Utricularias ; the  name  derived  from 
Utricula , a little  bottle,  in  allusion  to  the  peculiar  shape  of 
the  air  vessels.  These  beautiful  plants  are  furnished  with 
innumerable  utriculce  or  air  vessels,  which,  being  filled  with 
air,  sustain  the  plant,  floating  on  the  surface  of  the  water. 
The  Utricularia  is  an  early  spring  plant,  making  its  appear- 
ance often  before  the  ponds  are  entirely  clear  of  the  ice  ; the 
first  indications  of  its  growth  are  minute  green  globular  balls, 
somewhat  like  a pea ; as  soon  as  these  balls  burst  open,  or  the 
least  sign  of  their  opening  takes  place,  they  immediately  rise 
to  the  surface  of  the  water  and  rapidly  grow.  Some  of  the 
JJtricularias  extend  like  a rope,  a length  of  three  to  five  feet ; 
when  it  has  arrived  at  its  greatest  perfection,  the  ulriculce 
bursts  open,  causing  the  plant  to  sink  to  the  bottom,  and 
soon  rapidly  decays.  The  color  of  the  TJtricularias  is  very 
light  green,  and  no  aquatic  plant  found  in  the  United  States 
exceeds  it  in  delicate  beauty.  Of  the  Utricularias , fifteen 
species  are  described  as  natives  of  the  United  States. 

1.  The  Utricularia  wflata.  This  species  grows  in  ponds 
from  Maine  to  Florida  and  west  to  Ohio.  It  bears  four 
or  five  yellow  flowers  together  upon  a scape.  Utriculce , 
innumerable.  Stem  very  long  and  branched,  upper  leaves  in 
whorls  of  fives  and  sixes,  lower  leaves,  dissected.  Spur  of 
the  flower  nearly  as  long  as  the  corolla,  striate  and  emarginate. 
Corolla,  yellow,  the  upper  lip,  broadly  ovate,  lower  lip,  tri- 
lobed.  Flowers  in  August. 

2.  The  Utricularia  purpurea.  Purple  Utricularia.  This 
species  can  readily  be  distinguished  from  the  others  by  the 
large  bright  purple  flowers  they  bear.  Grows  in  ponds  from 
Maine  to  Florida  and  north-west  to  Wisconsin.  Flowers  in 
August. 


118 


THE  VEGETATION  OF  THE  AQUARIUM 


3.  The  Utricularia  intermedia.  This  species  is  distributed 
in  ponds  throughout  Canada  and  the  upper  tier  of  Northern 
States  and  west  to  Wisconsin.  Chiefly  distinguished  from 
the  other  species  by  having  leafless  branches  bearing  the 
utriculce.  Upper  lip  of  the  corolla  entire,  and  twice  as  long 
as  the  palate.  Flowers  during  June  and  July. 

4.  The  Utricularia  Robbinsii.  A local  plant  described 
by  Dr.  Wood  as  growing  in  swamps  in  Uxbridge  and  North- 
bridge,  Massachusetts. 

5.  The  Utricularia  striata.  Striped  Utricularia.  This 
plant  is  not  of  a floating  character,  the  stem  being  slightly 
attached  to  the  soil  by  minute  fibrous  roots.  ^ It  is  easily  dis- 
tinguished from  the  others  by  its  striated  flowers.  Leaves 
sub-divided  into  many  divisions.  Flowers,  usually  two,  large 
and  having  the  upper  lip  three  lobed  of  a bright  yellow  color, 
the  centre  lobe  striated  with  red  ; lower  lip  crenate  with  dark 
spots  upon  the  palate.  Grows  in  stagnant  ponds  on  Long 
Island  and  is  generally  distributed  throughout  the  Atlantic 
States,  south  to  Florida.  Flowers  in  June. 

6.  The  Utricularia  longirostris.  This  and  the  two  follow- 
ing species  are  confined  to  the  Southern  Atlantic  States. 

7.  The  Utricularia  bi flora. 

8.  The  Utricularia  bipartita. 

9.  The  Utricularia  clandestina.  This  plant  differs  from 
the  others  in  the  fact  that  the  corolla  never  opens,  and  is  the 
only  species  of  the  Genus  having  this  peculiarity.  It  grows 
in  ponds  throughout  the  Atlantic  States,  from  Massachusetts 
to  New  Jersey.  The  stem  attains  a length  of  two  feet, 
bearing  many  air  vessels.  Leaves  all  submerged.  Flowers, 
two  to  three  on  a slender  scape,  also  solitary  on  slender  axil- 
lary pedicels  among  the  leaves  on  the  stem.  Flowers  in 
July. 


THE  VEGETATION  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


119 


10.  The  Utricular ia  gibba.  This  is  a minute  species 
found  in  pools  from  Massachusetts  to  Carolina.  Stem,  short, 
dichotomus  and  filliform.  Leaves,  hair-like,  and  with  few 
utriculae.  Scape,  one  to  two,  flowered.  Corolla,  yellow, 
upper  lip,  emarginate;  lower,  subtrilobate.  Spur  gibbous, 
hence  its  name. 

11.  The  Utricularia  minor.  Found  in  ponds  throughout 
Canada  and  the  Northern  and  Eastern  States,  and  west  to 
Wisconsin.  In  this  the  corolla  is  of  a pale  yellowish  color,  and 
very  widely  expands.  Scape,  three  to  six,  .flowered.  Upper 
lip  of  the  corolla,  ovate,  emarginate,  as  long  as  the  palate  ; 
lower  lip,  obovate,  flattened,  much  longer  than  the  spurs. 
Flowers  in  July. 

12.  The  Utricularia  vulgaris.  This  is  the  most  common, 
but  yet  the  most  beautiful  species  of  the  Genus.  It  is  found 
abundantly  throughout  the  United  States  and  Canada,  grow- 
ing with  great  luxuriance  in  stagnant  ponds  ; the  small  green 
balls  of  this  plant  usually  appear  early  in  March,  often  before 
the  ponds  are  clear  of  ice.  If  a few  of  these  are  collected  and 
placed  in  the  Aquarium  they  open  and  grow  with  amazing 
rapidity  ; in  ten  days  I have  had  this  plant  attain  a length  of 
two  feet  in  this  manner.  The  vulgaris  grows  to  a great 
length,  and  can  often  be  obtained  five  feet  in  length,  some- 
times even  seven  feet.  Stems  very  branching.  Leaves, 
numerous.  Utriculae  with  a fringed  valvate  aperture. 
Flowers,  alternate,  showy  yellow,  scape,  simple,  rising  out  of 
the  water  and  bearing  five  to  eleven  flowers.  Lower  lip  of 
the  corolla  with  a projecting  palate,  striped  with  brown. 
Flowers  during  June  and  July. 

13.  The  Utricularia  resupinata.  This  plant,  as  far  as 
known,  is  confined  to  the  ponds  of  Massachusetts. 

14.  The  Utricularia  subulatata.  This  is  a minute  plant, 


120 


THE  VEGETATION  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


growing  in  swamps  of  the  Atlantic  States,  from  Canada  to 
Florida.  Stem  slightly  attached  to  the  soil  by  minute  fibrous 
roots  ; plant,  creeping ; leaves,  few  and  linear.  Scapes  few, 
filliform,  one  to  five,  flowered.  Flowers,  yellow ; upper  lip 
of  the  corolla,  ovate.  Flowers  in  June. 

15.  The  Utricularia  cornuta.  This  plant  is  found  in 
ponds  and  swamps  from  Canada  to  Florida,  and  south-west 
to  Louisiana.  Stem,  rooting,  tall,  erect,  with  two  to  five 
subsessile  flowers.  Corolla,  large  and  yellow;  upper  lip, 
small,  emarginate ; lower  lip,  very  broad,  trilobed ; palate,  very 
prominent ; spur,  subulate,  acute  and  spreading  from  the 
corolla.  Flowers  from  June  to  August. 

From  the  above  fifteen  species,  several  beautiful  varieties 
can  be  selected  for  the  Aquarium,  they  include  some  of  the 
most  delicate  of  our  aquatic  plants,  none  excelling  them  in 
this  respect  for  beauty. 

The  next  family  of  plants  claiming  our  attention  as  suitable 
to  the  Aquarium,  are  the  Myriophyllums.  Of  these  hardy 
aquatics  we  possess  six  species.  The  following  are  their  spe- 
cific characters  from  which  their  identity  may  be  determined. 
The  Myriophyllums  are  perennial  in  their  character. 

In  the  tank  the  Myriophyllums  will  last  for  an  indefinite 
period.  They  can  be  propogated  from  the  smallest  offshoot. 
When  not  entirely  immersed  in*  water,  the  leaves  do  not 
develope  in  that  pinnate  form  that  is  natural  to  them  when 
completely  immersed ; this  is  the  case  during  dry  seasons, 
when  many  of  the  ponds  dry  up.  The  leaves  not  immersed 
in  water,  that  do  not  assume  this  pinnated  form,  have  their 
margins  more  or  less  serrated. 

1.  The  Myriophyllum  verticillatum.  Water  Millfoil.  This 
species  is  one  of  the  most  abundant,  occuring  in  ponds, 


THE  VEGETATION  OF  THE  AQUAKIUM. 


121 


and  sluggish  waters  from  Canada  to  Florida,  and  from  Maine 
to  California.  Leaves  in  verticals  of  threes.  Flowers  some- 
times perfect,  small,  green,  axillary  with  conspicuous  floral 
leaves,  which  are  pectinate,  pinnatifed  and  longer  than  the 
flowers.  Flowers  in  July  and  August. 

2.  The  Myriopliyllum  spicatum.  Spiked  Water  Millfoil. 
This  plant  has  likewise  a wide  geographical  range,  extending 
from  the  New  England  States  south  and  west  to  Arkansas. 
The  slender  stem  of  this  plant  usually  grows  in  deep  water, 
it  is  branched  and  very  long.  Leaves  composed  of  innumer- 
able hair  like  segments,  always  submerged.  Leaves  in 
verticills  of  threes,  all  pinnately  parted.  Flowers  in  terminal, 
nearly  naked,  spikes,  floral  leaves  entire,  ovate,  shorter  than 
the  flowers ; petals,  broadly  ovate ; stamens  eight.  Flowers 
small  greenish,  blossoms  in  July  and  August,  and  is 
caducous. 

3.  The  Myriopliyllum  heterophyllum.  ^ This  is  a rare 
plant,  growing  in  sluggish  waters  from  Canada  to  Florida. 
Stem,  thick,  branching.  Leaves,  very  various,  lowest  floral 
ones  pectinately  divided ; leaves  in  verticills  of  fives  ; spikes, 
terminal,  nearly  naked.  Floral  leaves,  ovate,  lanceolate  and 
serrate.  Petals,  oblong ; stamens  four  to  six.  Flowers  from 
June  to  September. 

4.  The  Myriopliyllum  scabatrum.  Leaves  pinnatifed  in 
whorls  of  fours  and  fives.  Floral  leaves  linear,  and  pecti- 
nately toothed.  Flowers,  small,  verticillate  and  axillary. 
Flowers  in  July.  This  plant  occurs  in  ponds  and  sluggish 
streams  throughout  the  Northern  and  Eastern  States. 

5.  The  Myriopliyllum  ambiguum.  Floating  Millfoil.  This 
is  a numerously  leaved  species.  Stem,  long  floating. 
Submerged  leaves  pinnate,  with  capillary  segments,  middle 

L 


122  THE  VEGETATION  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 

ones  pectinate,  upper  ones  linear,  petiolate  toothed  or  entire 
according  to  the  depth  of  water  they  grow  in.  Flowers  very 
minute,  floral  leaves  linear.  Grows  in  ponds  and  sluggish 
streams  from  Pennsylvania  to  Massachusetts.  Flowers  in 
July,  the  blossom  is  axillary,  solitary  and  sessile. 

6.  The  Myriophyllum  tenellum.  The  rhizome  or  stem 
long,  prostrate  and  creeping,  sending  up  erect  branches 
almost  leafless.  Flowers,  purplish  white,  small,  sessile  and 
alternate.  Floral  bracts  minute,  alternate,  entire,  obtuse 
and  slightly  longer  than  the  flowers.  Petals  linear,  stamens 
four.  Flowers  in  July.  Grows  in  ponds  and  swamps  from 
New  York  to  Newfoundland. 

Next  in  importance  to  the  Myriophyllums  is  the  Cerato - 
phyllum.  Of  this  Genus  we  have  but  one  species,  the  Cerato - 
phyllum  demersum , or  Hornwort,  commonly  called  Mare’s 
Tail.  This  is  one  of  the  best  plants  we  have  for  the  Aqua- 
rium, its  dark  luxuriant  foliage  contrasting  well  with  the 
lighter  greens  of  the  Utricular ias  and  Myriophyllums . In  its 
native  waters  it  is  annual,  but  in  the  tank  is  perennial.  One 
peculiarity  of  this  plant  is  the  remarkable  short  period  it  will 
remain  fresh  and  green  if  taken  from  the  water  and  exposed 
to  the  atmosphere,  almost  immediately  withering,  differing 
in  this  respect  from  all  other  aquatic  plants.  During  the 
summer  season,  if  much  of  this  plant  be  kept  together,  it  heats 
the  water  to  such  an  extent,  that  the  whole  mass  soon 
becomes  fermented ; the  plant  sloughs  away  and  in  a few  days 
becomes  a putrid  mass;  such  is  the  case  in  the  localities  where 
it  is  found.  During  the  summer  months  it  grows  so  prolific, 
and  in  such  masses,  that  when  it  arrives  at  full  maturity,  it 
soon  shows  signs  of  decay,  and  towards  the  latter  part  of 
autumn,  melts  as  it  were  away,  leaving  scarcely  a vestige 


THE  VEGETATION  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


123 


of  its  former  luxuriance.  In  the  Bronx  River,  Westchester 
County,  New  York,  it  attains  to  great  perfection,  so  also  in 
many  of  the  tributaries  of  the  Hackensack,  Passaic  and 
Raritan  rivers  in  New  Jersey.  I have  never  observed  its 
presence  in  still  waters. 

Stem,  long,  slender,  branched,  floating  ; leaves  in  whorls  of 
eights.  Foliage,  dark  green  when  fully  developed,  bright 
green  when  young.  Flowers  greenish,  very  minute,  axillary 
and  solitary. 

The  next  plant  claiming  our  attention  is  the  Anacharis 
Canadensis , or  Water  Thyme.  This  plant  of  all  others  is  the 
most  prolific.  I have  had  young  shoots,  in  the  Aquarium 
during  spring,  to  grow  twelve  to  fifteen  inches  in  three  days. 
Although  in  its  native  waters  it  is  an  annual,  like  the 
Ceratophyllum , it  becomes  perennial  in  the  tank,  and  continues 
to  increase  if  left  undisturbed,  soon  requiring  thinning  out. 
Originally  it  was  peculiar  to  this  continent,  but  some  speci- 
mens sent  over  to  a Professor  in  Cambridge  University, 
England*  where  inadvertently  thrown  into  the  River  Cam, 
and  from  this  trifling  incident  it  became  naturalized  there  and 
has  now  spread  throughout  many  of  the  fresh  waters  of 
England,  (where  it  is  known  as  Water  Thyme,)  and  in  some 
instances  has  impeded  the  navigation  in  the  canals,  occasion- 
ing inconvenience  and  expense  in  clearing  them. 

Stem  long,  branched ; leaves,  lanceolate  in  whorls  of  threes. 
Foliage,  light  bright  green. 

Our  botanists  describe  but  one  species  of  this  plant,  but 
there  are  two  varieties  found  in  the  sluggish  streams  of 
Hudson  County,  New  Jersey,  which,  upon  closer  investiga- 
tion, may  prove  to  be  distinct  from  the  canadensis.  These 
varieties  do  not  attain  that  strength  of  growth  the  canadensis 


124 


THE  VEGETATION  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


does,  the  stem  is  much  more  fragile,  the  leaves  much  smaller, 
and  more  linear,  darker  colored,  and  the  plants  are  not  so 
hardy. 

The  next  plant  to  call  your  attention  to  is,  and  always  has 
been  considered,  the  best  aerator  or  liberator  of  oxygen 
known ; the  Valisneria  spiralis , or  Tape  Grass.  It  received 
its  Generic  name  in  honor  of  Yalisnei,  an  eminent  Italian 
Naturalist,  who  gained  great  repute  by  his  excellent  writings 
upon  Botany  and  Entomology.  This  is  an  interesting  plant 
in  different  respects,  first,  as  being  the  best  purifier  of  water, 
second,  as  being  the  first  plant  ever  used  in  an  Aquarium,  by 
Dr.  Lankaster  in  1841,  (as  spoken  of  in  the  first  chapter ;) 
and  lastly,  as  being  an  excellent  object  under  the  microscope 
to  view  the  circulation  of  the  sap. 

This  plant  is  exceedingly  abundant  in  the  Delaware  and 
Raritan  Canal,  in  fact  is  troubfesome  to  the  navigation  of  the 
same  ; it  grows  also  luxuriantly  in  the  Hudson,  at  Newburg, 
New  York.  The  male  and  female  flowers  grow  on  different 
plants,  the  female  flowers  are  borne  on  long  spiral  foot  stalks, 
the  male  ones  on  straight,  short  flower  spikes.  It  can 
readily  be  propogated  in  the  tank  by  off  shoots,  and  will  last 
indefinitely. 

The  next  in  value  for  the  Aquarium  are  the  Potomo- 
gatons , Pond  Weeds.  Of  these  we  have  fifteen  species  found 
in  this  vicinity,  as  follows : 

1.  The  Potomogaton  compressum , distinguished  by  its 
compressed  stem  and  linear,  obtuse  leaves.  Stem,  one  to 
two  feet  long,  branching,  flattened  and  green.  Leaves, 
closely  sessile,  margins  parallel,  ending  in  an  abrupt  point ; 
peduncle  bearing  from  five  to  twenty-five  flowers.  Flowers 
in  July. 


THE  VEGETATION  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


125 


2.  The  Potomogaton  Tuckermani.  Stem,  ‘'filliform,  with 
capillary  branches ; leaves,  few,  all  capillary.  A very  delicate 
species. 

3.  The  Potomogaton  natans.  Broad  leaved  Pond  Weed. 
Stem,  slender,  one  to  three  feet  long,  branched.  Leaves, 
oblong,  or  elliptical,  ovate  on  long  petioles,  spikes  rather 
dense.  Flowers  in  July  and  August.  Grows  in  ponds  and 
sluggish  streams.  New  England  to  Wisconsin. 

4.  The  Potomogaton  heterophyllus.  Stem,  round  and 
slender  ; filliform,  branching.  Floating  leaves,  lanceolate  or 
oblong,  five  to  seven  veined.  Grows  in  ponds  and  sluggish 
streams. 

5.  The  Potomogaton  diversif olium.  Varied  leaved  Poto- 
mogaton. Stem,  filliform,  branching ; upper  leaves,  ovate 
and  lanceolate,  five  veined  $ lower  ones,  sessile,  filliform, 
alternate.  Upper  leaves  only  rising  to  the  waters’  surface, 
these  are  acute  on  hair-like  petioles.  Flowers  in  July. 

6.  The  Potomogaton  hybridus.  Stem  mostly  simple,  very 
slender,  one  to  three  feet  long.  Floating  leaves,  elliptic 
oblong,  very  slightly  veined,  longer  than  their  petioles ; sub- 
merged leaves  long,  linear,  sessile.  Spike,  cylindrical,  dense  ; 
seeds  coiled  into  a ring.  Grows  in  ponds  and  slow  streams. 
This  is  a very  handsome  species  for  the  Aquarium. 

7.  The  Potomogaton  fluitans.  Stem,  simple  or  branched, 
several  feet  long.  Floating  leaves  opposite,  oval,  lanceolate, 
acute  at  each  end,  shorter  than  the  petioles,  submerged  leaves 
larger  than  the  floating  ones,  lanceolate,  sessile,  strongly 
veined,  wavy,  thin,  slightly  reticulated,  not  shining.  Pedi- 
cills  thickened,  cylindric.  Spikes,  dense,  flowered.  Flowers 
in  August.  Grows  in  deep  clear  water.  New  York  to 
Canada. 

L* 


126 


THE  VEGETATION  OF  TIIE  AQUARIUM. 


8.  The  Potomogaton  lucens.  Easily  distinguished  by  its  large 
pellucid  leaves.  Leaves,  large,  shining,  oblong,  lanceolate, 
flat,  very  pellucid,  conspicuously  cross-veined.  Spikes,  long, 
cylindrical,  many  flowered.  Spadix  of  numerous  green 
flowers  on  a peduncle,  thick  and  enlayed  upwards.  Grows 
in  rivers  and  lakes  in  Canada,  New  York  and  New  England. 

9.  The  Potomogaton  ohrutus.  Stem,  round,  simple  and 
slender.  Leaves,  linear,  lanceolate,  sessile,  rather  acute ; 
spikes,  long,  pedunculate,  dense.  Vermont  to  Georgia. 

10.  The  Potomogaton  proelongus.  Leaves,  oblong,  ovate, 
obtuse,  many  veined.  Flowers  in  July  and  August.  * 

11.  The  Potomogaton  perfoliatus.  A common  species  in 
ponds  and  slow  waters.  Leaves,  cordate,  clasping  the  stem. 
Flowers,  purple,  alternate.  Flowers  in  July. 

12.  The  Potomogaton  pauciflorus.  Stem,  dichotomus,  fillL 
form.  Leaves,  linear,  alternate,  sessile.  Flowers,  three  to 
five,  greenish.  Very  delicate  plant. 

13.  The  Potomogaton  pusillus.  Stem,  filliform,  branched. 
Leaves,  linear,  subulate,  membraneous,  very  acute,  sessile. 
Few  flowered.  Shallow  ponds. 

14.  The  Potomogaton  pectinatus.  Stem,  slender,  branched, 
striate.  Leaves,  numerous,  long,  very  linear.  Plant,  bushy 
and  very  leafy.  New  England  to  Wisconsin. 

15.  The  Potomogaton  Piobbinsii.  Stem,  long,  branched. 
Leaves,  lanceolate,  linear  ; spikes,  oblong,  small  and  few 
flowered  ; pedicels  shorter  than  the  leaves.  New  Hampshire 
west  to  Ohio. 

Of  the  Callitriche  or  Starworts,  we  have  two  species  suitable 
to  the  Aquarium. 

1.  The  Callitriche  verna.  Broad  Leaved  Starwort  or  Water 
Star.  The  name  of  this  plant  is  derived  from  the  Greek, 


TIIE  VEGETATION  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


127 


signifying  “ beautiful  hair.”  It  is  a small  plant  with  a filli- 
form  stem,  with  small  lanceolate  leaves,  spatulate  and  obvate, 
forming  star  like  tufts  on  the  surface  of  the  water.  Flowers 
from  May  to  August. 

2.  Callitriche  linearis , Narrow  Leaved  Star  wort.  This 
plant  possesses  the  general  character  of  the  verna,  only  the 
leaves  are  more  linear. 

The  Threadfoot,  Podostemum  ceratophyllum , grows  in  streams 
on  rocks  and  stones ; very  plentiful  in  New  Jersey.  Stem 
filliform,  leaves  pinnate  floating  on  the  surface  of  the  water. 
Flowers  in  July. 

The  Schollera  graminea , Water  Star  Grass.  This  is  a 
slender  plant,  with  a stem  six  or  eight  inches  long,  leaves 
sessile,  extremely  linear  resembling  grass.  Grows  in  sluggish 
streams.  Flowers,  bright  yellow.  Spathe  one  or  two 
flowered.  Flowers  in  July. 

The  Isoetas  lacustris , Quill  wort.  This  is  a crytogammanous 
plant  growing  in  ponds  and  sluggish  streams.  It  derives  its 
name  from  the  Greek,  meaning  “equal  year,”  because  it  is 
alike  the  whole  year.  Leaves  numerous,  radical,  tufted,  sim- 
ple, somewhat  spreading,  containing  numerous  cells  divided 
by  lateral  and  transverse  divisions. 

The  Azollci  caroliniana.  This  plant  belongs  also  to  the 
Crytogammia . Grows  in  ponds  and  swamps  and  distributed 
from  New  York  west  to  Illinois.  Leaves  oblong,  ovate, 
fleshy  and  floating,  very  small  and  reddish  beneath. 

The  Ilottonia  wflata , or  Water  Feather.  This  is  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  plants  found  in  aur  ponds,  and  I find  it  is 
extremely  local,  but  where  it  is  found  it  abounds  in  consider- 
able quantities.  I have  placed  these  plants  in  tanks  when 
only  an  inch  in  height  and  in  three  or  four  weeks  they  grew 


128  THE  VEGETATION  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 

fifteen  to  eighteen  inches,  the  beautiful  flowers  then  expanded, 
retained  their  beauty  for  several  weeks,  then  drooped,  the 
plants  then  wasted  as  it  were  away,  sloughing  off  as  they  do 
in  their  native  waters.  I have  tried  this  very  many  times, 
but  have  never  succeeded  in  keeping  them  through  the 
winter.  They  are  well  worthy  a place  in  the  Aquarium 
however,  as  their  comparatively  short  existence  is  amply  made 
up  by  their  beauty ; they  should  be  immediately  taken  out 
at  the  first  sign  of  decay.  This  beautiful  aquatic  has  the 
leaves  in  whorls  on  the  upper  part  of  the  stem  only,  the 
lower  portion  being  naked.  The  leaves  are  fine  like  feathers, 
the  flower  stalks  are  arranged  umbel  like,  swollen  very  much 
betwixt  the  joints  and  hollow  within.  The  foliage  is  very 
bright  light  green.  Flowers  pinkish  white,  small  but 
numerous.  Flowers  in  August  and  September.  Its  geo- 
graphical range  extends  from  Massachusetts  south  to  Florida 
and  southwest  to  Louisiana. 

The  next  aquatic  plants  worthy  of  notice  are  the  Family 
of  Ranunculacce  or  Crowfoot,  of  these  we  have  three  species 
suited  to  the  Aquarium ; characterized  and  distinguished  as 
follows : 

1.  The  Ranunculus  aquatilis , Water  Crowfoot.  This 
species  has  the  stem  almost  entirely  submerged,  creeping  on 
the  soil  and  sending  out  numerous  filliform,  dissected  leaves 
at  the  joints,  the  floral  stalks  projecting  from  four  to  six 
inches  above  the  water’s  surface,  bearing  at  their  extremities 
peltated  three  parted  leaves,  and  conspicuous  bright  yellow 
flowers.  Flowers  in  June.  Generally  distributed  through- 
out the  Atlantic  States  in  ponds  and  deep  holes  in  swamps. 

2.  The  Ranunculus  fluviatilis , River  Crowfoot.  Stem,  slen- 
der, about  a foot  high,  with  filliform  leaflets  at  the  joints,  and 


THE  VEGETATION  OF  TIIE  AQUARIUM. 


129 


bears  its  small  white  flowers  on  the  surface  of  the  water. 
Grows  in  running  streams.  Flowers  in  July.  This  is  a 
beautiful  species  easily  distinguished. 

3.  The  Ranunculus  multifidus , Water  Buttercups.  This 
species  is  closely  allied  to  the  aquatilis , but  is  readily  distin- 
guished from  the  latter,  by  the  fact,  that  it  never  bears  any 
leaves  on  that  portion  of  the  floral  stalk  which  projects  above 
the  surface  of  the  water.  Flowers  similar  to  the  aquatilis , 
large,  yellow  and  bright. 

Of  the  ten  species  of  Lobelias  found  in  the  United  States,  but 
one  of  them  is  suitable  to  the  Aquarium.  The  I^obelia  clort- 
manna  or  Water  Lobelia.  This  curious  aquatic  is  well 
adapted  to  the  tank,  as  it  is  an  entirely  submerged  species, 
the  flowers  alone  rising  above  the  water.  The  stem  is  erect, 
hollow  and  long,  rising  above  the  water’s  surface,  and  bearing 
a raceme  of  three  or  four  remote  pedicellate  flowers  of  a pale 
blue  color.  Flowers  in  July.  Leaves,  radical,  erect  and 
recurved  at  the  tip.  Grows  in  ponds,  and  is  distributed  from 
New  York  south  to  Georgia. 

Of  the  Brooklime  we  have  two  species : 

1.  The  Veronica  americana , American  Brooklime.  Stem, 
glabrous,  decumbent  at  its  base,  and  rooting;  fleshy,  very 
smooth,  erect  above.  Leaves  ovate,  acute,  serrate,  abrupt  at 
the  base.  Racemes  opposite,  loose,  longer  than  the  leaves. 
Pedicels  twice  as  long  as  the  bracts.  Flowers,  blue  or  pur- 
plish blue.  Flowers  in  June  and  July.  This  plant  is  generally 
distributed  in  brooks  and  clear  waters  throughout  the  United 
States  and  Canada. 

2.  The  VeroniccC  anagallis , Water  Speedwell.  This  plant 
grows  in  similar  localities  to  the  americana , and  bears  purple 
flowers. 


130 


THE  VEGETATION  OF  TIIE  AQUARIUM. 


The  Cardamine  hirsuta.  Common  Water  Cress.  This  is  a 
very  ornamental  plant  for  the  Aquarium.  Stem  about  a foot 
high ; obtuse  ovate  leaves,  radical,  placed  alternate  ; flowers 
small  and  white,  projecting  above  the  waters’  surface.  Flow- 
ers in  June.  A common  species  growing  in  clear  running 
waters  and  very  generally  distributed.  The  verdure  of  this 
plant  is  very  bright  green. 

Of  the  Sagittarias  or  Arrowheads  we  have  three  species 
suitable  for  large  tanks.  They  have  large  bulbous  roots  and 
require  considerable  soil. 

1.  The  Sagittaria  saggittifolia. , Common  Arrowhead.  Stem 
usually  two  feet  high,  projecting  out  of  the  water ; leaves 
long,  straight,  acute  and  lanceolate.  Flowers,  white.  Blos- 
soms in  July.  Grows  in  ponds  and  swamps,  and  is  generally 
distributed. 

2.  The  Sagittaria  heterophylla.  This  species  is  about  half 
the  size  of  the  former,  and  a much  more  slender  plant. 
Leaves  linear,  lanceolate  and  narrow  lobed.  Flowers,  few. 
Blossoms  in  July.  Found  in  ponds  and  ditches,  and  is  gen- 
erally distributed. 

3.  The  Sagittaria  acutifolia , Acute  Arrowhead.  This  is 
the  smallest  of  the  Genus,  seldom  exceeding  six  or  eight 
inches  in  height,  with  subulate  acute  leaves,  convex  on  the 
back  and  sheathing  at  the  base,  bearing  its  flowers,  which  are 
few,  on  pedicels.  Grows  in  swamps.  Flowers  in  July. 
Very  common. 

The  next  to  notice  are  the  Pontedeiras,  two  species  of  which 
belong  to  our  flora  : 

1.  The  Pontedeiras  cordata.  Pickerel  Weed.  This  is  a 
large  plant  attaining  a height  of  two  feet,  stem  thick,  having 


THE  VEGETATION  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


131 


oblong  cordate  leaves  rising  from  the  base.  Flowers,  bright 
blue,  sessile,  collected  into  twos  and  threes  on  a long  dense 
spike. 

2.  The  Pontedeira  angustifolia.  Narrow  Leafed  Pickerel 
Weed.  This  plant  resembles  considerably  the  preceding 
species,  differing  from  it  however  in  having  much  narrower 
leaves.  Both  of  these  plants  are  only  suitable  to  very  large 
tanks. 

Of  the  true  Water  Lillies  we  have  three  species,  but  all  of 
them  are  too  large  for  general  purposes. 

1.  The  NympJia  odorata.  The  White  Lily.  This  plant 
bears  the  most  beautiful  flower  of  any  of  our  aquatics,  and  is 
very  fragrant.  Found  in  ponds  and  lakes.  Common. 
Flowers  pure  white. 

2.  The  Nuphar  advena.  Yellow  Water  Lily.  Grows 
usually  in  company  with  the  odorata.  Flowers  bright  yellow. 

3.  The  Nupliar  lutea.  Small  flowered  Pond  Lily. 

Of  the  Sparganiums  we  have  five  species.  The  name  is 
derived  from  the  Greek,  meaning  “ribbon  like  leaves.” 

1.  The  Sparganium  angustifolium.  Having  long  narrow 
leaves  floating  on  the  surface  of  the  water.  Grows  in  ponds 
and  swamps. 

2.  The  Sparganium  americanum . Similar  to  the  above,  and 
having  a simple  stem. 

The  other  three  species  are  the  ramosum , simplex  and  natans , 
these  burr  reeds  are  not  of  much  value  to  the  Aquarist, 
being  too  large  for  ordinary  purposes. 

Of  the  Arams  we  have  two  : 

1.  The  Calla  palustris.  Water  Aram.  This  singular  and 
beautiful  plant  found  in  clear  waters,  is  furnished  with  foot- 
stalks rising  to  the  surface  of  the  same,  bearing  naasses  of 
^hite  flowers. 


132 


THE  VEGETATION  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


2.  The  Orontium  aquaticum.  Golden  Club  or  Floating 
Aram.  This  plant  is  not  of  much  value  to  the  Aquarium,  but 
being  a true  aquatic,  I introduce  it  here.  The  scape  or  stem 
is  long  and  cylindrical,  with  large  radical,  lanceolate,  ovate 
leaves ; flowers,  yellow,  dense  and  exuding  a disagreeable 
odor.  Flowers  early  in  the  season,  usually  in  May. 

The  Glyceria  fluitans.  Floating  Fescue.  This  is  also  a 
large  plant,  with  long  linear  leaves,  which  rise  and  float  on 
the  surface  of  the  water ; grows  in  ponds  and  swamps. 

The  Acorns  calamus.  Calamus  or  Sweet  Flag.  A plenti- 
ful species  growing  in  ponds  and  swamps.  This  plant  is 
large,  with  long  linear  leaves,  lanceolate,  and  shaped  like  a 
sword.  Its  root  is  dried  and  used  for  medicinal  purposes. 
Can  only  be  used  in  a very  large  tank. 

The  Najas  canadensis.  Water  Nymph.  A very  good  plant 
for  the  Aquarium,  having  a flexible  slender  stem,  erect, 
always  submerged,  with  filliform  or  threadlike  leaves.  Flow- 
ers with  stamens,  with  the  perianth  wanting.  Grows  in 
stagnant  waters.  . 

Of  the  Charas  we  have  two  species  : 

1.  The  Chara  flexilis.  Flexible  Chara.  An  excellent 
aerator  for  the  Aquarium,  indeed  none  are  better.  It  is  also 
extremely  free  of  growth  and  always  completely  submerged. 
The  stems  are  jointed  and  form  a net-like  appearance. 
Before  the  late  American  Museum  building  was  destroyed  by 
fire,  we  had  a tank  completely  filled  with  this  plant  alone, 
that  presented  a beautiful  appearance,  having  been  growing 
therein  several  years  ; the  whole  interior  of  the  same  was  a 
dense  mass  of  fine  network,  the  water  always  remaining  clear 
and  sparkling,  sustaining  a numerous  family  of  Sticklebacks, 
Tessellated  Darters  and  Tritons.  To  those  who  fancy  this 
plant,  it  is  sufficient  to  purify  the  water  of  their  Aquarirpn, 


THE  VEGETATION  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


133 


and  a little  placed  therein  at  the  proper  season  soon  spreads 
and  increases,  filling  the  whole  of  the  same  with  its  bright 
green  verdure.  It  is  easily  thinned  out  as  taste  may  dictate. 

2.  The  Chara  vulgaris.  . Feather  Beds.  This  also  is  a 
beautiful  plant,  of  the  same  general  character,  as  the  flexilis, 
but  is  more  brittle,  requiring  very  careful  handling.  The 
stem  is  slender  with  whorls  of  eight  filliform  leaves,  at  short 
distances  apart,  having  the  appearance  of  a tuft  of  feathers, 
hence  its  name.  Grows  in  still  ponds,  in  masses  at  the  bot- 
tom. The  green  color  of  this  species  is  lighter  than  the  flexilis. 

The  Higdropeltis  purpurea . W ater  Shield.  A very  curious 
and  interesting  plant,  having  long  foot  stalks  bearing  fine, 
flat,  elliptical  leaves,  floating  on  the  surface  of  the  water,  and 
attached  to  the  stem  by  the  centre  of  the  under  part  of  the 
leaf,  thus  forming  a shield.  The  leaves  are  smooth,  shining 
dark  green  on  their  upper  side,  and  woolly  on  the  under. 
Whole  plant  covered  with  a gelatinous  substance.  The 
flowers  are  borne  on  long  foot  stalks,  springing  from  the  side 
of  the  leaf  stalks.  Flowers,  purple,  and  blooms  in  July. 
Grows  in  ponds  and  lakes,  usually  with  the  Nymphas  and 
Nuphars . 

The  Isnardia  palustria.  Water  Purslane.  Stem,  prostrate ; 
creeping  at  the  bottom  of  ponds,  with  opposite  leaves,  ovate 
and  lanceolate.  Bearing  single  axillary  flowers,  without 
corolla.  Flowers  in  June. 

The  Hydrodicton  urticulatum.  This  is  a beautiful  plant,  of 
a bright  light  green  color,  resembling  delicate  lace  work ; it 
is  free  of  growth,  but  its  extremely  fragile  character  renders 
it  easily  destroyed  by  the  fish. 

Of  the  Rushes,  we  have  two,  but  although  truly  aquatic 

are  not  of  much  value  for  our  purpose. 
m 


134  THE  VEGETATION  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 

1.  The  Juncus  effusus.  Common  Rush.  Bears  tufts  of 
long  awl-shaped  leaves,  and  stems  like  the  spines  of  a porcu- 
pine, bearing  flowers  in  loose  lateral  panicles.  This  is  the 
plant  used  in  making  mats. 

2.  The  Juncus  scirpus.  Club  Rush.  Very  common  in 
marshy  localities,  bearing  flowers  in  little  solid,  oval  spikelets. 

Next  are  the  Lemnas,  or  Duck  Meats.  The  name  Lemna 
taken  from  “ lepis ,”  a scale,  which  it  resembles  in  form.  Its 
common  name  suggested  from  the  fact  that  wild  ducks  are 
particularly  fond  of  it,  eating  it  with  avidity.  Of  these 
interesting  and  useful  plants  for  the  Aquarium,  we  have  five 
species  suitable  to  it.  The  Lemnas  are  all  surface  plants, 
never  attached  to  the  soil,  always  floating,  and  from  their  under 
side  send  down  one  or  more  small,  fibrous,  thread-like  roots, 
through  which  they  receive  nourishment  from  the  water. 
They  are  all  annuals,  but  will  last  in  the  tank  indefinitely, 
and  affords  an  excellent  screen  for  the  water,  if  your  tank  is 
exposed  to  too  much  light.  The  species  are  all  readily  dis- 
tinguished by  the  following  characteristics. 

1.  The  L^emna  minor . Little  Lemna.  This  may  be  identi- 
fied by  its  small,  entire,  scale-like,  light  green  leaves,  sending 
down  but  one  single  fibrous  root.  Grows  in  ponds. 

2.  The  Lemna  gibba , distinguished  by  its  pellucid  char- 
acter. Grows  in  ponds. 

3.  The  Lemna  polyrhiza.  Water  Flax  Seed.  Its  division 
of  leaves  being  more  firmly  united,  and  sending  down  from 
eight  to  twelve  black  fibrous  roots.  This  plant  is  very 
abundant,  growing  in  ponds,  intermixed  with  the  Lemna  minor . 

4.  The  Lemna  perpusilla . The  Least  Lemna.  This  is  a 
very  minute  species,  its  exceeding  small  size  being  its  chief 
feature  of  distinction. 


THE  VEGETATION  OF  THE  AQUARIUM. 


135 


5.  The  Lemna  trisulca.  Ivy  Leaved  Lemna.  This  plant 
is  very  distinctly  characterized.  The  leaves  are  of  a much 
darker  shade  of  green  than  the  before  mentioned  species.  Its 
mode  of  propogation  is  peculiar.  The  leaves  are  nearly  one- 
half  an  inch  in  length,  thin  and  pellucid,  divided  into  three 
lobes,  with  a single  fibrous  root  attached.  A flattened  stem 
emerges  from  the  point  of  each  lobe,  which  in  a few  days 
expands  into  another  leaf;  when  this  leaf  becomes  fully  devel- 
oped, other  stems  emerge  from  the  lobes  of  the  same,  that  in 
time  form  other  leaves  ; this  process  continues  indefinitely 
throughout  the  vernal  season,  until  large  masses  are  formed,  all 
the  leaves  being  united  in  this  manner.  If  a few  leaves  only 
of  any  of  the  Lemnas  are  placed,  during  the  spring  or  summer, 
in  the  Aquarium,  they  will  increase  rapidly  and  soon  cover 
the  surface  of  the  wTater.  This  plant  is  usually  found  in 
sluggish  waters,  sometimes  in  ponds. 

The  Riccia  natans  is  another  floating  plant  of  a bright  green 
color,  common  in  sluggish  streams,  growing  intermixed  with 
the  Lemnas  and  Ilyclrodicton.  Grows  prolificly  in  the  tank. 

The  Fontanalis  gigantea  is  a handsome  plant,  growing  in 
clear  waters,  liberating  oxygen  freely.  Stem  profusely 
branched,  especially  above,  color  of  the  foliage,  very  dark 
green.  Leaves,  oblong,  ovate,  acute.  A very  local  species. 

The  Tetraspora  ulvacea.  This  plant  grows  in  swamps  and 
ponds  and  bears #an,affinital  resemblance  to  the  marine  Ulva 
latissima. 

The  Cladophera  glomerata.  This  a fresh  water  AJgoe,  grow- 
ing on  rocks  and  stones  in  running  brooks. 

The  Drapernaldias , Tyndarideas , Conferva ?,  Bratches  permea 
and  Cladophera  are  all  fresh  water  Algae,  too  fine  in  texture 
for  general  purposes. 


GLOSSARY  OF  TECHNICAL  TERMS  USED. 


Acutifolia , the  leaf  acutely  pointed. 
Aculealus , prickly,  with  spines. 
Abbreviated , short. 

Anas , the  vent. 

Anal  fen the  lower  posterior  fin  of  a fish. 
Anterior,  before. 

Ambiguous , of  varied  or  undecided  char- 
acter. 

Amphibious , living  both  on  land  and 
water. 

Albidus , white. 

Annual , yearly,  lasting  but  a year. 
Animalcule , microscopic  aquatic  life. 
Attenuated , becoming  thin  and  slender. 
Atronasus , black-nosed. 

Jgwa,  water. 

Aquatic , pertaining  to  water. 

J^acws,  a lobster, 
golden. 

-4**7,  the  angle  beneath  a leaf. 

Appendix , furnished  with  an  appendage. 
Axillary , belonging  to  or  growing  on 
the  axil. 

Argenteus , silvery. 

Augustifolia , narrow  leaved. 

Auriculata , with  ear-shaped  appendages. 
Bi flora , two  flowered. 

Bilineata , two  striped. 

Bison,  a buffalo. 

Botany , the  science  or  study  of  plants. 
Bipartita , divided’  into  two  parts  to  the 
base. 

Biaculeatus , two  spined. 

Conftnis , border,  or  edge. 

Carnivorous  animal  or  flesh  eaters. 
Carpel , simple  pistil,  or  a part  of  a com- 
pound one. 


Capillary , hair-like. 

Caducous , falling  off  at  the  period  of 
expansion. 

Convex , bulging  out  in  a rounded  form. 
Concave , the  opposite  to  convex. 
Cornutusy  horned. 

Cephalus , pertaining  to  the  head. 
Coleoptera , a class  of  insects  having  wing 
cases. 

Cordata , heart  shaped. 

Crenate , having  the  margin  even  notched 
or  scolloped. 

Crytogammia , flowerless  plants. 
Clandestina , hidden,  concealed. 

Corolla , the  inner  of  the  two  flower 
envelopes. 

Calyx , the  outer  covering  of  a flower. 
Dentate , toothed. 

Decumbent , reclined  on  the  ground. 
Diaphanous,  transparent. 

Dorsal , upper  part  of  the  back  of  a fish. 
Dorsal  Line , a line  extending  along  the 
dorsal. 

Dorsal  fin,  the  fin  situated  on  the  dorsal. 
iHcftofomowsty, forking  into  two  branches. 
Entomology , the  science  or  study  of 
insects. 

Filliform , thread-like. 

Fibullous,  bearing  fibre-like  hairs. 
Filamantose , composed  of  threads  or 
filaments. 

Furcate , forked. 

Fluitans,  floating. 

Fluvial , relating  to  fresh  water. 
Fusilform,  spindle  shaped. 

Fugacious , falling  off,  pens  ing  soon. 
Gibbous , protuberant  swelling. 


GLOSSARY  OF  TECHNICAL  TERMS. 


137 


Granulated , roughed  in  lines. 

Guttatus , sprinkled  in  drops. 

Glabci •,  or  glabrous , smooth. 

Glommcrala , growing  in  a massive  form. 
Graminea , grass-like. 

Gracilis , slender  formed. 

Grisea , gray. 

Gregarious , going  in  numoers  together. 
Hydrophilus , a genus  of  Coleoptera , the 
name  signifying  “ I love  the 
water.” 

Hirsula,  hairy. 

Hiterophyllum , having  the  leaves  varied 
from  the  usual  form. 

Jnvolucrate , having;  a set  of  bracts  sur- 
rounding a flower  cluster. 
Injloresence,  flowering  part  of  a plant. 
Intermedia , between. 

Intrepidus , bold,  fearless. 

Ichthyology , the  science  or  study  of  fishes. 
Inflata , inflated,  swollen. 

Irides , the  part  of  the  eye  encircling  the 
pupil. 

Issetus , equal  year. 

Lamelliform , composed  of  flat  plates. 
Longicauda , long  tailed. 

Lanceolate,  lance  shaped. 

Lacustris , pertaining  to  lakes  and 
swamps. 

Lepis,  a scale. 

Maxilingua , large  tongued. 

Macrocepliala , large  headed. 

Maculata , spotted. 

Millepunctatus , many  spotted. 
Multifasciata , many  barred. 
Multilineatus,  many  lined. 

Multifid , many  cleft. 

Natans , floating. 

Nebulosa,  clouded. 

Niger , black. 

Nigricans , black. 

Notata.  ten  spotted. 

Obcordate,  inverted,  heart-shaped. 

Ovate,  egg  shaped,  with  the  lower  ex- 
tremity broadest. 

Opercles,  gill  covers. 

Odorata , a sweet  scented  plant. 

Obscurus , obscure. 

Occidental is,  western. 


Ornata , ornamented: 

Ocellated,  with  eye-like  spots. 

Pallidus,  pale. 

Palate,  the  convex  base  of  the  lower  lip 
of  the  corolla. 

Panicles , in  which  the  flowers  are  ar- 
ranged on  distinct  branching 
stalks  round  a lengthened  axis. 

Perennial,  perpetual. 

Pedicels,  the  stalk  of  a particular  flower. 

Pedicellate , having  & pedicel. 

Peltate,  shield-shaped,  the  stalk  being 
attached  to  the  centre  of  the  leaf. 

Pectoral  fins,  the  fins  on  the  body  near 
the  gills. 

Pedunculated , having  a flower  stalk. 

Pectinated , comb-like. 

Picta,  painted. 

Pinnatifed , cleft  in  many  parts,  divided 
almost  to  the  axis  into  lateral 
segments. 

Petiole,  the  foot  stalk  of  a leaf  connect- 
ing the  blade  with  the  stem. 

Pupil , the  sight  of  the  eye. 

Puncated , spotted. 

Pygmseus , pigmy,  little. 

Pellucid,  perfectly  clear  and  transparent. 

Pistil,  the  female  sexual  organ  of  all 
phsenogamous  plants. 

Phscnogamous,  flowering. 

Prinate,  divided  into  leaflets. 

Perianth,  the  calyx  that  envelopes  a 
single  flower  and  is  immediately 
contiguous  to  it. 

Quadrate,  square. 

Quinate,  in  fives. 

Quadrimaculata,,  four  spotted. 

Quiescens,  rest,  repose. 

Radical,  proceeding  immediately  from 
the  root. 

Ramose,  bearing  branches. 

Ramulose , bearing  many  branchlets. 

Reniform,  kidney  shaped. 

Resupinata , inverted  in  position,  by  the 
twisting  of  the  stalk. 

Raceme , an  indefinite  infloresence  with 
single  pedicelled  flowers  arranged 
along  a lengthened  axis. 

Reticulated,  netted. 


138 


GLOSSARY  OF  TECHNICAL  TERMS. 


Rosulale,  like  a rosette. 

Rhizome , root  stock  or  stalk. 

Rostrata , beaked. 

Stamen , the  male  organ  of  plants. 

Sextagonal,  six  sided. 

Setacious,  bristle  like. 

Sessile , dwarfish,  sitting,  not  stalked. 

Scuta,  shield  shaped. 

Spadix , a kind  of  fleshy  spike. 

Spiralis , spiral. 

Serrated , notched  on  the  edge. 

Spilcelet,  a small  spike  forming  part  of  a 
large  one. 

Sinciput  albida , having  the  forehead 
white. 

Subluate , awl-shaped,  linear,  very  narrow, 
« tapering  gradually  to  a fine  point 
from  a broad  base. 

Scape,  a radical  stem  bearing  the  inflor- 
escence, without  leaves. 

Sparyanium,  a plant  having  ribbon-like 
leaves. 

Subrevolute,  rolled  slightly  backwards. 


Subtrilobate,  slightly  three  lobed. 
Spalulate,  shaped  like  a druggist’s  spat- 
ula, or  like  a battledore. 

Stolons,  a rooting  branch. 

Spaihe,  the  encircling  bract  of  a spadix. 
Striated,  striped. 

Trilobate,  three  lobed. 

Tesselated,  checkered. 

Translucent,  clear  and  shining. 

Umbel,  the  pedicels  all  proceeding  from 
a single  point  and  of  equal  length. 
Unicolor,  one  colored. 

Utricula,  a little  bottle. 

Versicolor,  variegated  in  color. 

Ventrals,  the  small  fins  anterior  to  the 
anal  fin. 

Veriicills,  whorls. 

Verticillate,  whorled. 

Vulgaris,  common. 

Vivarium,  animal  life. 

Verticiilatum,  from  verticillus , a little 
whorl. 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


Aphredoderus  sayanus, 44 

Abramis  versicolor, * G4 

American  Yellow  Perch, 39 

Arrangement  of  the  Aquarium, 25 

Anguilla  tenuerostris, 7S 

Amblyopsis  spelius 93 

Arams, 131 

Arrowheads, 130 

Amia  occidentalis, 98 

Amia  calva, 98 

Apodal  fish, 98 

Anguilla  rostrata, 98 

Anguilla  macrocephala, 98 

Ammocaetus  unicolor, , 78 

Ammocsetus  bicolor, 98 

Amphibians, 99 

Astacus  bartoni, 108 

American  Cray  Fish, 108 

Anacharis  canadensis, 123 

Brook  Trout, 34 

Buffalo  Bony  Pike, 37 

Black  Bass,  small 43 

Bass,  fresh  water 45 

Black  Eared  Sun  Fish, 48 

Black  Nosed  Dace, 5G 

Banded  Dace, 59 

Black  Headed  Dace, 60 

Baione  fontanalis, GG 

Boleosoma  tessellatum, G7 

Big  Killifish, 87 

Barred  Killifish, 87 

Bryttus  punctatus, 91 

Bryttus  reticulatus, 91 


PAGE 

Bryttus  unicoloT, '. . 91 

Blind  Fish  of  Kentucky, 93 

Black  or  Dusky  Triton, . ..105 

Bull  Frog, 109 

Brooklime, :129 

Burr  Reeds, 131 

Bratches  permea, 135 

Carp,  Golden 31 

Cyprinus  auratus, 31 

Champlain  Pickering, 38 

Common  Sun  Fish, 46 

Catastomus  pallidus, 70 

Catastomus  tuberculatus, 71 

Colored  Mud  Lamprey, 98 

Chubsucker,  brilliant 72 

Chubsucker,  elegant 73 

Chubsucker,  gibbous 74 

Cat  Fish,  black 75 

Cat  Fish,  brown 76 

Cat  Fish,  Common 77 

Centrarchus  aeneus, 45,  G7 

Centrarchus’Tasciatus, 90 

Centrarchus  obscurus, 90 

Centrarchus  pentacanthus, 90 

Centrarchus  hexacanthus, 90 

Centrarchus  sparvides, 90 

Centrarchus  irideus, 90 

Centrarchus  gulosus, 90 

Centrarchus  virides, 90 

Corvina  oscula, 91 

Corvina  Richardsonii, 91 

Corvina  grisea, 91 

Cat  Fish,  Blue 92 


140 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


PAGE 


*Cat  Fish,  Yellow 92 

Cat  Fish,  Channel 92 

Cat  Fish,  Mud 92 

Cat  Fish,  Small  Black  Bull  Head 92 

Cat  Fish,  Young 92 

Cyprinus  carpio, 98 

Common  Carp, 93 

Chubsucker,  Long  Finned 94 

Chubsucker,  Round  Back 94 

Catastomus  communis, 94 

Catastomus  oneida, 94 

Catastomus  aureolus, 94 

Catastomus  nigricans, 94 

Catastomus  macrolepidotus, 94 

Catastomus  longirostris, 94 

Catastomus  maculosns, 94 

Catastomus  elongatus, 94 

Catastomus  vittatus, 94 

Catastomus  duquesnii, 94 

Catastomus  sucellata, 94 

Catastomus  maxilingua, 94 

Corregonus  albus, 9T 

Corregonus  clupeiformis, 97 

Corregonus  otsego, 97 

Corregonus  harengus, 97 

Clupnke, 98 

Cyclostomi, 98 

Chrysemys  picta, 99 

Ceratophyllum  demersum, 120 

Callitriche  verna, 126 

Callitriche  linearis, 127 

Cardamene  hirsuta, 130 

Calamus, 132 

Calla  palustris, 131 

Chara  flexilis, 1-32 

Chara  vulgaris, 133 

Common  Rush, 134 

Club  Rush, 134 

Conferae, 135 

Cladophera  glomerata, 135 

Dace,  Pigmy... 54 

Dace,  Black  Nosed 5G 

Dace,  Shining 58 

Dace,  Banded 59 

Dace,  Black  Headed - CO 

Dace,  Horned 62 

.Dace,  Golden 65 

Drapernaldia, 135 


PAGE 

Esox  reticulatus, 35 

Esox  fasciatus, 36 

Eel,  Common 78 

Eel,  Plain  Mud  Lamprey 78 

Eel,  Small  Lamprey 79 

Esox  estor, 96 

Esox  tradecem  radiatus, 96 

Esox  phaleratus, 96 

Eel,  Beaked 98 

Eel,  Bull  Head 98 

Emys  punctata, 102 

Fundulus  veridescens, 87 

Fundulus  zebra, 87 

Fundulus  fasciatus, 87 

Floating  Fescue, 132 

Floating  aram, 132 

Fontanalis  gigantea, 135 

Golden  Carp, 31 

Gold  Fish, 31 

Gasterosteus  biaculeatus, 81 

Gasterosteus  neoboracensis, 83 

Gasterosteus  occidentalis, .....  84 

Gasterosteus  quadracus, 85 

Gasterosteus  concinnus, 91 

Gasterosteus  mainensis, 91 

Gasterosteus  niger, ...  91 

Glyceria  fluitans, 132 

Glossary, 136 

Huron  nigricans, 89 

Hydrargira  diaphana, 86 

Hydrargira  atricada, 96 

Hydrargira  ornata, 96 

Hydrargira  nigrofasciata, 96 

Hydrargira  multifasciata, 96 

Hydropholis  triangularis, 113 

Hydropholis  glaber, 114 

Hydropholis  ovalis, 114 

Hydropholis  lateralis, 115 

Hottonia  inflata, 127 

Hydrodicton  utriculatum, 133 

Hydropeltis  purpurea, 133 

Isnardia  palustris, 133 

Isoetus  lacustris, 127 

Juncus  effusus, 134 

Juncus  scirpus, 134 

Killifish,'  Big 87 

Killifish,  Barred 87 

Killifish,  Striped 87 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


141 


PAGE 

Lepisosteus  Bison, 3T 

Labrax  pallidus, 42 

Labrax  nig  * cans, 43 

Labrax  albidus, 89 

Labrax  notatus, 89 

Labrax  multilineatus, 89 

Leuciscus  pygmseus, 54 

Leuciscus  atronasus, 56 

Leuciscus  nitidus, 58 

Leuciscus  vittatus, 59 

Leuciscus  atromaculatus, 60 

Leuciscus  budsonius, 61 

Leuciscus  cornutus, 62 

Leuciscus  pulchellus, 95 

Leuciscus  argenteus, 95 

Leuciscus  corporalis, 95 

Leuciscus  elongatus, 95 

Leuciscus  dissimilis, 95 

Leuciscus  biguttatus, 95 

Leuciscus  cephalus, 95 

Lebias  ovinus, 68 

Lebias  ellipsoides, 95 

Labeo  oblongus, 72 

Labeo  elegans, T3 

Labeo  gibbosus, 74 

Labeo  cyprinus, 93 

Labeo  esopus, 94 

Leucioperca  americana, 89 

Leucioperca  grisea, 89 

Leucioperca  canadensis, 89 

Lake  Sheepshead, 91 

Lepisosteus  platyrhincus, 98 

Lepisosteus  longirostris, 98 

Lobelia  Dortmanna, 129 

Lily,  White 131 

Lily,  Yellow  Water 131 

Lily,  Small  Flowered  Pond, 131 

Lemna  minor, 134 

Lemna  gibba, 134 

Lemna  polyrhiza,. 134 

Lemna  perpusilla, 134 

Lemna  trisulca, 135 

Minnow,  Transparent 85 

Minnow,  Champlain 87 

Minnow,  Ornamented '96 

Minnow,  Black  Striped, 96 

Minnow,  Many  Barred, 96 

Millfoil,  Floating 121 


TAGE 

Millfoil,  Water 120 

Millfoil,  Spiked  Water, 121 

Molinesia  latipennis, 96 

Mud  Fish,  Western 98 

Mud  Lamprey,  Colored 98 

Many  Spotted  Triton, 103 

Myriophyllum  verticillatum, 120 

Myriophyllum  spicatum, 121 

Myriophyllum  heterophyllum, 121 

Myriophyllum  scabatrum, 121 

Myriophyllum  ambiguum, 121 

Myriophyllum  tenellum, 122 

Nympha  odorata, 131 

Nuphar  advena, 131 

Nuphar  lutea, 131 

Najas  canadensis, 132 

Newt, 103 

Orontium  aquaticum, 132 

Pickerel,  Common 35 

Pickerel,  Varied 36 

Pimeoma  sub-fasciatum 38 

Pickering,  Champlain 38 

Perea  flavescens, 39 

Perea  granulata, 88 

Perea  acuta, 88 

Perea  gracilis, 88 

Perea  nebulosa, 88 

Perea  minima, 88 

Perea  serrata-granulata, 41 

Perch,  American  Yellow 39 

Perch,  Rough  Yellow 41 

Perch,  White 42 

Perch,  Spineless 44 

Perch,  Rough  Headed  Yellow, 88 

Perch,  Sharp  Nosed  Yellow, 88 

Perch,  Slender  Yellow, 88 

Pomotis  vulgaris, 46 

Pomotis  appendix, 48 

Pomotis  secludens, 50 

Pomotis  ravaneli, 90 

Pomotis  holbrooki, 90 

Pomotis  incisor, 90 

Pomotis  gibbosus, 90 

Pomotis  solis, 90 

Pomotis  catesbei, 90 

Pigmy  Dace, 54 

Pigmy  Trout, 66 

Pimelodus  atrarius, 75 


142 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


PAGE 

Pimelodus  pullus, 76 

Pimelodus  catus, 77 

Peteromyzon  appendix, 79 

Peteromyzon  argenteus, 98 

Pickerel  Weed, 130 

Pickerel  Weed,  Narrow  Leaved, 131 

Painted  Water  Turtle, 99 

Pike  Perch,  Yellow, 89 

Pike  Perch,  Gray, 89 

Pike  Perch,  Canada, 89 

Pimelodus  nigricans, 92 

Pimelodus  coenosus, 92 

Pimelodus  albidus, 92 

Pimelodus  lemniscatus, 92 

Pimelodus  furcatus, 92 

Pimelodus  punctulatus, 92 

Pimelodus  seneus, 92 

Pimelodus  cerulescens, 92 

Pimelodus  cupreous, 92 

Pimelodus  pallidus, 92 

Pimelodus  n bmosus, 92 

Pimelodus  zanthocephalus, 92 

Pimelodus  flavus, 92 

Planorbis  trivolvis, 112 

Planorbis  bicarinatus, 112 

Planorbis  armigerus, 112 

Physa  heterostropha, 113 

Potomogaton  compressum, 124 

Potomogaton  tuckermani, 125 

Potomogaton  natans, 125 

Potomogaton  heterophyllus, 125 

Potomogaton  diversifolium, 125 

Potomogaton  hybridus, 125 

Potomogaton  fluitans, 125 

Potomogaton  lucens, 125 

Potomogaton  obrutus, 125 

Potomogaton  prselongus, 125 

Potomogaton  perfoliatus, 125 

Potomogaton  panciflorus, 125 

Potomogaton  pusillus, 125 

Potomogaton  pectinatus, 125 

Potomogaton  Robbinsii, 125 

Pontedeira  cordata, 130 

Pontedeira  angustifolia, 131 

Purslane,  Water .133 

Pike,  The 96 

Pike,  Federation 96 

River  Crow  Foot 128 


PAGE 

Ranunculus  aquatilis, 128 

Ranunculus  fluviatilis, 128 

Ranunculus  multifidus, 129 

Rush,  Common 134 

Rush,  Club 134 

Riccia  natans, 135 

Rana  pipiens, 109 

Rana  fontanalis, 110 

Salmo  fontanalis, 34 

Salmo  erythrogaster, 97 

Salmo  confinis, 97 

Salmo  amethystus, 97 

Salmo  salar, 97 

Salmo  canadensis, 97 

Shiner, 58 

Spawn  Eater, 61 

Stilbe  chrysoleucas, 65 

Sheepshead  Lebias, 68 

Star  Gazer,  Little 69 

Sucker,  Pale 70 

Sucker,  Horned 71 

Sucker,  Common 94 

Sucker,  Oneida 94 

Sucker,  Mullet 94 

Sucker,  Black 94 

Sucker,  Large  Scaled 94 

Sucker,  Spotted 94 

Sucker,  Long  Nosed 94 

Sucker,  Missouri 94 

Sucker,  Striped 94 

Sucker,  White 94 

Sucker,  Little 94 

Stickleback,  Two  Spined 81 

Stickleback,  New  York 83 

Stickleback,  Ten  or  Many  Spined 84 

Stickleback,  Four  Spined 85 

Spotted  Water  Turtle 102 

Scienidse, 91 

Salmonidae, 97 

Salamandra  rubra, 106 

Salamandra  symmetrica, 106 

Salamandra  erythronata, 106 

Salamandra  picta, 107 

Salamandra  subviolacea, .107 

Salamandra  cirrigera, 107 

Salamandra  sinciput  albida, 107 

Salamandra  gutta  lineata, 107 

Salamandra  auriculata, 107 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


143 


PAGE 

Salamandra  talpoidea, 107 

Salamandra  quadrimaculata,. . ...  .107 

Salamandra  haldemani, 107 

Salamandra  glutinosa, 107 

Salamandra  coccinea, 107 

Salamandra  bilineata, 107 

Salamandra  granulata, 107 

Salamandra  longicauda, 107 

Salamandra  fasciata, 107 

Salamandra  salmonea, 107 

Spring  Frog, 110 

Starwort,  Broad  Leaved 126 

Starwort,  Narrow  Leaved 127 

Schollera  graminea, 12? 

Speedwell,  Water 12? 

Sagittaria  sagittifolia, 129 

Sagittaria  heterophylla, 130 

Sagittaria  acutifolia, 130 

Sparganium  angustifolium, 131 

Sparganium  americanum, 131 

Sweet  Flag, 132 

Shield,  Water 133 

Tessellated  Darter, 67 

Turtle,  Painted  Water 99 

Turtle,  Spotted  Water..  102 

Triton,  millepunctatus, 103 

Triton,  tigrinus 105 

Triton,  niger 105 

Triton,  porphyriticus, 107 

Triton,  ingens 107 

Triton,  Jeffersoni 107 

Tyndarideas, 135 

Threadfoot, 127 

Tetras  pora  ulvacea, 135 

Triglidse, 91 

Tadpole, 109 


PAGE 

Uranidea  quiescens, 69 

Unio  complanatus, Ill 

Utricularia  inflata, 117 

Utricularia  purpurea, 117 

Utricularia  intermedia, 118 

Utricularia  Robbinsii, 118 

U tricular ia  striata, 118 

Utricularia  longirostris, 118 

Utricularia  biflora, 118 

Utricularia  bipartita, 118 

Utricularia  clandestina, 118 

Utricularia  gibba, 119 

Utricularia  minor, 119 

Utricularia  vulgaris, 119 

Utricularia  resupinata, 119 

Utricularia  cornuta, 120 

Utricularia  subulata, 119 

Variegated  Bream, 64 

V alisneria  spiralis, 124 

Veronica  americana, 129 

Veronica  anagallis, 129 

Water  Flaxseed, 134 

Water  Purslane, 133 

Water  Shield, 133 

Water  Aram, 132 

Water  Nymph, 132 

Water  Lily, 131 

Water  Lobelia, 129 

Water  Speedwell, 129 

Water  Cress,.. 130 

Water  Buttercups, 129 

Water  Crowfoot, 128 

Water  Star  Grass, 127 

Water  Thyme, 123 

Water  Turtle, 99 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGE 

1.  Rectangular  Tank, 19 

2.  Gold  Fish, 31 

3.  Brook  Trout, 34 

4.  Common  Pickerel, 35 

5.  Varied  Pickerel, 3G 

G.  Buffalo  Bony  Pike, 3T 

T.  Champlain  Pickering, 3S 

S.  American  Yellow  Perch, 39 

9.  Rough  Yellow  Perch, 41 

10.  White  Perch, 42 

11.  Small  Black  Bass, 43 

12.  Spineless  Perch, 44 

13.  Fresh  Water  Bass, 45 

14.  Common  Sun  Fish, 46 

15.  Black  Eared  Sun  Fish, 48 

1G.  Pomotis  secludens, 50 

IT.  Pigmy  Dace  or  Rock  Fish, 54 

18.  Black  Nosed  Daced  or  Striped 

Dace, 5G 

19.  Shining  Dace  or  Shiner, 58 

20.  Banded  Dace, 59 

21.  Black  Headed  Dace, GO 

22.  Spawn  Eater, G1 

23.  Horned  Dace  or  Red  Fin, G2 

24.  Variegated  Bream, G4 

25.  Golden  Dace, G5 

26.  Pigmy  Trout, GG 

27.  Tessellated  Darter, G7 

28.  Sheepshead  Lebias, G8 

29.  Little  Star  Gazer, G9 

30.  Pale  Sucker, TO 

31 . Horned  Sucker, 71 

32  Brilliant  Chubsucker, 72 


33.  Elegant  Chubsucker, 73 

34.  Gibbous  Chubsucker, 74 

35.  Black  Cat  Fish, 75 

3G.  Brown  Cat  Fish, 7G 

37.  Common  Cat  Fish, 77 

3S.  Common  Eel, 78 

39.  Plain  Mud  Lamprey  Eel, 78 

40.  Small  Lamprey  Eel, 79 

41.  Two  Spined  Stickleback, 81 

42.  New  York  or  Three  Spined 

Stickleback, 83 

43.  Ten  o~  Many  Spined  Stickleback,  84 

44.  Four  Spined  Stickleback, 85 

45.  Transparent  Minnow, 8G 

46.  Painted  Water  Turtle, 99 

47.  Spotted  Water  Turtle, 102 

4S.  Newt  or  Many  Spotted  Triton,.  .103 

49.  Tiger  Triton, 105 

50.  Black  or  Dusky  Triton, 105 

51.  Red  Salamander, 106 

52.  American  Cray  Fish, 108 

53.  Tadpole  of  the  Common  Bull 

Frog, 109 

54.  Tadpole  of  the  Spring  Frog, 110 

55.  Fresh  Water  Muscle.  ( Unco 

complanatus,) Ill 

5G.  Planorbis  trivolvis, 112 

57.  Physa  heterostropha, 113 

58.  Hydropholis  triangularis, 113 

59.  Hydropholis  ovalis, 114 

60.  Hydropholis  glaber, 114 

61.  Hydropholis  lateralis, 115 


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